SINGAPORE – A former project manager at the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) was sentenced to four weeks in jail on July 2, 2025, after he pleaded guilty to two charges under the Official Secrets Act. Hsu Yee Chern, aged 52, was found to have shared confidential tender information with Tan Kian Meng, a project manager at John Holland Electrical & Service (JHES), an electrical contracting firm. The offences involved sensitive data relating to a defence project managed by DSTA, a statutory board under the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
At the time of the offences, Hsu held multiple key roles at DSTA, where he was responsible for overseeing procurement processes, including vendor sourcing and evaluating tender bids. He had worked at DSTA and its affiliated agencies since 1997 until his resignation in 2022.
The offences occurred during a DSTA-managed infrastructure renovation project at Stagmont Camp, located along Stagmont Road near Teck Whye Crescent. In March 2019, Tan initiated a text conversation with Hsu seeking details about the tender requirements. Despite being aware of the confidentiality protocols, Hsu disclosed that DSTA’s project budget was “a few million dollars” and advised Tan not to quote more than a certain amount. This was a direct disclosure of internal, non-public information.
Subsequently, JHES submitted a bid for the project with a quotation lower than the disclosed budget. On April 5, 2019, after the tender submissions had closed, Tan once again contacted Hsu for updates. Hsu replied with information about the status of the evaluations, even though JHES was not shortlisted to progress to the interview phase and was eventually not awarded the contract.
Investigations later uncovered that between February 2020 and January 2022, Hsu had attended at least five dinners with Tan and other JHES staff, with each meal costing between S$300 and S$1,400. DSTA policy strictly prohibits such engagements unless declared, especially if they involve vendors, due to the risk of conflicts of interest.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ronnie Ang emphasised that Hsu was fully aware of his obligations under DSTA’s code of conduct and procurement policies. He highlighted that Hsu had violated clear protocols, such as avoiding excessive personal relationships with vendors and declaring any non-declinable meals.
The offences came to light on November 21, 2022, when a whistleblower alerted DSTA about Hsu’s unusually close ties with JHES employees. The agency conducted an internal review and subsequently referred the matter to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in December 2022. Charges were formally brought against Hsu and Tan in 2024. The case involving Tan, aged 47, is still pending in court.
In court, Hsu’s lawyers, Sunil Sudheesan and Joyce Khoo from Quahe Woo & Palmer, argued for leniency, requesting a fine of S$4,000 or a one-week jail term. They maintained that Hsu did not gain any financial or personal benefit from the offences.
Despite this, the court imposed a four-week jail term to underscore the seriousness of breaching confidentiality in public service. The Official Secrets Act governs the handling of sensitive government information, especially involving national defence and procurement. A breach of this nature undermines public trust and the integrity of the procurement system.
In a statement issued on July 2, 2025, a DSTA spokesperson confirmed that Hsu had been suspended during the investigation period. The agency reiterated its stance on integrity, stating: “We expect all officers to maintain high standards of integrity and professionalism, and do not tolerate any misconduct that could undermine the integrity of the procurement system.”
The case serves as a reminder of the risks associated with insider disclosure in public agencies and highlights the importance of safeguarding confidential government information, especially in defence-related sectors.
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