SAF captain jailed 4 months for selling information
A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) captain was jailed four months on Friday for selling confidential information to a defence contractor for $40,000.
Phua Poh Sim, who has been suspended on no-pay leave from the SAF, used the money to pay off his gambling debts.
He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two charges of corruptly obtaining gratification in the form of loans, which amounted to more than S$53,000.
The 31-year-old former SAF overseas scholarship recipient will also have to pay $200,000 to the SAF on his termination from the army in lieu for failing to complete his bond, reported The Straits Times (ST).
Phua had chalked up debts of about $100,000 with banks and friends by gambling on cruise ships between December 2007 and November 2008.
He was then introduced to Richard Yow Wah, managing director of Certified Aerospace, and Phua later promised to provide confidential information to Yow.
Phua went to Yow's house on 3 May 2008 and passed him confidential information on a proposal to purchase the new pixelised combat uniforms. He continued to provide confidential information to Yow in return for money.
Three other charges of receiving 'loans' from Yow were taken into consideration by the judge at sentencing, reported ST.
The judge also ordered Phua to pay a penalty of $44,400, the amount he received in the two charges he pleaded guilty to.
Yow has been charged. His case is not yet heard.
