Singaporean Current and Former Ministers Spark Controversy Over Dinner With Gangster Convicted in 3 Trillion Won Money Laundering Case

"Only Met at the Event, No Separate Meetings," Officials Claim
Over 16,000 Sign Petition Opposing Cabinet Appointment

Eung Chi-meng, former Minister of Education (left), is having dinner with Su Haijin, who is serving a prison sentence for a 3 trillion won money laundering case. Photo by Singapore MotherShip X capture

A photo showing Singaporean ministers and a ruling party lawmaker dining with a gangster convicted in a 3 trillion won money laundering case has sparked controversy.

According to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg on May 7 (local time), several photos have recently circulated on social media showing Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, and Eung Chi Meng, a Member of Parliament and former Minister of Education, having dinner with Su Haijin, a Cypriot national who is imprisoned for a money laundering case.

The timing of the photos has not been confirmed. However, a businessman claimed in an interview with local media outlet CNA that he arranged the dinner in 2020 and paid for the related expenses.

Su Haijin, known as a member of the Fujian organized crime syndicate in China, was arrested along with nine other members in August 2023 on charges related to a money laundering case involving 3 billion Singapore dollars (approximately 3.25 trillion won). He was sentenced to 14 months in prison in April last year and is currently serving his sentence.

After the photos were released, social media users raised questions about how these officials came to meet a criminal like Su Haijin and called for an investigation. More than 16,000 people have signed an online petition opposing Eung Chi Meng's participation in the new cabinet after he was elected as a Member of Parliament in the general election held on May 3.

Representative Eung stated that, as chairman of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), he has attended various events and communicated with a wide range of people. He added that once he learned Su Haijin was under judicial investigation, he ceased all contact with him.

Ministers Chee Hong Tat and Ong Ye Kung also issued statements, explaining that as ministers, they meet a variety of people at various events and gatherings. They emphasized that they do not personally know Su Haijin and have never interacted or conducted any transactions with him before or after the event in question.