For nearly two decades, the name Ng Teck Lee echoed like a ghost in the halls of Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). The once-celebrated CEO of Citiraya Industries—a high-flying recycling firm—had vanished in 2005, leaving behind a trail of corruption, bribes, and an embezzlement scandal valued at a staggering US$51 million. But on Dec 3, 2024, his elusive run came to an end in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, thanks to a dramatic arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The Rise and Fall of Ng Teck Lee
At its peak, Citiraya Industries was a star on Singapore’s stock exchange. Specializing in recycling electronic scrap to recover precious metals, the company worked with industry giants like AMD, Intel, and Infineon. It seemed like a win-win: environmental responsibility paired with economic success. But behind the scenes, Ng had different plans.
Instead of processing scrap materials as promised, Ng orchestrated an elaborate scheme to divert shipments of valuable components. These weren’t just recycled; they were repackaged and sold as new products overseas. The clients’ trust? Shattered. The profits? Over US$51 million, a jaw-dropping figure that left authorities reeling when the scam came to light.
The Great Escape
In December 2004, a key misstep exposed the scheme—a scrap chip from a U.S. client surfaced in Taiwan, leading to an international investigation. By January 19, 2005, Ng and his wife, Thor Chwee Hwa, had disappeared.
Over the years, the couple reportedly adopted new identities and stayed one step ahead of authorities. Immigration stop lists, police gazettes, and Interpol Red Notices couldn’t pin them down. For 19 years, they seemed untouchable.
The Arrest: Justice Prevails
On Dec 3, 2024, a breakthrough: the MACC captured Ng and Thor in Johor Bahru and handed them over to CPIB. It was the culmination of years of relentless international collaboration.
Vincent Lim, CPIB’s director of investigations, praised the teamwork, saying, “The successful arrest of the two Singaporean fugitives involved in this significant corruption case after almost two decades attests to the longstanding ties and close cooperation between CPIB and MACC.”
Ng now faces charges of criminal breach of trust, while Thor is being prosecuted under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act. Their arraignment on Dec 4 marks the start of what promises to be one of Singapore’s most sensational court cases in years.
The Scandal That Shocked Singapore
The scale of Ng’s operations was staggering. Between 2003 and 2004, 62 shipments—89 tonnes of electronic scrap—were misappropriated. Ng didn’t act alone; his brother, then the general manager of Citiraya, and other insiders facilitated the scheme. Bribes totaling nearly $2 million smoothed the way.
Citiraya’s downfall was swift. By 2006, it had been restructured and renamed Centillion Environment and Recycling, eventually merging with a U.S. firm to become Metech International.
Lessons From a Long Pursuit
Ng’s arrest underscores a sobering truth: there’s no escape from justice. His story is now a part of Singapore’s history—not as a cautionary tale of success but as a testament to the unwavering resolve of law enforcement.
CPIB’s Vincent Lim summed it up perfectly: “There is zero tolerance and no safe haven for those who choose to break our laws by engaging in corrupt or criminal activities. CPIB will spare no effort to track them down wherever they may hide and bring them to face justice in Singapore.”
What’s Next?
As Ng and Thor face their charges, the public waits for the full story to unfold. How did they evade capture for so long? What will their fate be? And perhaps the biggest question: could this have been prevented?
This is a chapter in Singapore’s history that reminds us of the importance of integrity, transparency, and the relentless pursuit of accountability. It’s a case we won’t forget anytime soon.
Source: here
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