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BP Singapore bunker trial: Judge finds suspects guilty of corruption, sentencing in September

Executive Director of Pacific Prime Trading and Ex-Regional Marine Manager of BP Singapore are expected to face sentencing in September at the State Courts of Singapore.

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Manifold Times was present at the BP Singapore bunker trial on Thursday (16 July). The following report represents a summarised extract of the afternoon’s hearing:

The BP Singapore bunker trial continued on Thursday (16 July) afternoon at the State Courts of Singapore where District Judge Ong Chin Rhu presented an oral judgement of the case.

The latest hearing saw Judge Ong finding the Executive Director of Pacific Prime Trading (PPT), Koh Seng Lee, and former Regional Marine Manager of BP Singapore, Clarence Chang to be each guilty of 20 charges under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Cap 241., otherwise known as the Prevention of Corruption Act which is the primary anti-corruption law in Singapore*.

Nineteen charges were related to the transfer of monies from Koh to Chang from about 31 July 2006 to 26 July 2010 to advance the business interest of PPT with BP Singapore Pte Ltd.

The 20th charge related to payments for Mindchamps Preschool @ City Square Pte Ltd from Koh to Chang sometime before September 2009 as an inducement to advance the business interest of PPT with BP.

Judge Ong, in her oral judgement, noted Koh transferred sums of money totalling USD 3.95 million from his personal HSBC account to Chang’s personal bank account, while Chang transferred a portion of the monies to various bank accounts in Singapore which were solely owned by himself or jointly owned with his wife.

“A central issue at trial was the purpose of these payments and whether they were tainted,” she stated.

“The prosecution case is these payments to Mr Koh and Mr Chang was for continuing PPT’s business interest with BP. The defence states these transfers were not corrupt and they were for investments for properties, the Mindchamps business and other businesses.”

She observed Chang and Koh being called by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to explain the purpose of payments, where it was found Chang suggested to Koh to set up PPT to be a trading counterparty of BP.

There was also an understanding Chang will help PPT; Chang regarded himself as a partner in PPT and the money transfers from Koh to Chang were described by Chang as his share of profit as a partner of PPT, she said, amongst other observations.

“I have carefully studied and considered the submissions […] I found the CPIB have accurately captured the statements which Mr Koh and Mr Chang conveyed to the recording officer. I found these statements reveal the true purpose of the transfers (sic),” said the Judge.

“I found their account [explanations] for the joint accounts and transfers as an afterthought. They did not reveal these details to CPIB […] it was rather telling Mr Koh and Mr Chang’s statements contained various glaring contradictions and inconsistencies of the joint investment. Especially [for] the properties in the joint investment project.”

She declares: “After consideration, I am satisfied they [the prosecution] have proceeded charges beyond reasonable doubt. I find them [Koh and Chang] guilty and convicted of the same.”

The bails of Koh and Chang have been extended; they are expected to face sentencing in September, 2020.

*A person convicted of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both, for each count of corruption, according to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) website.

Under Section 13 of the PCA, when a corrupt offender is convicted, the Court shall also order him to pay a penalty equivalent to the amount of bribes he received. 

Editorial coverage by Manifold Times regarding earlier court sessions of the BP Singapore bunker bribery trial are organised in descending chronological order (latest to earliest) below:

Related: BP Singapore bunker trial nears end as legal reps present summary submissions
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Last minute evidence surfaces at State Courts
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Former Ops Manager cross examined
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Cross examination of ex-Regional Marine Manager starts
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Former Market Manager takes to stand as witness
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Pacific Prime Trading Director cross examination continues
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Pacific Prime Trading Director undergoes cross examination
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Prosecution and Defence present submissions (Part 2)
RelatedBP Singapore bunker trial: Prosecution and Defence present submissions (Part 1)
RelatedBP Singapore bunker bribery case update: BP bunker trade data in question
RelatedBP Singapore bunker bribery case update: CPIB officer takes to the stand
RelatedUPDATE: BP Singapore bunker bribery case
RelatedBP Singapore bunker bribery case continues

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 16 July, 2020

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Legal

Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

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RESIZED Sora Shimazaki on Pexels

Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July). 

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions. 

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Winding up

Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

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RESIZED Drew Beamer

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

  • That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

  • that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
  • that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
  • that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Related: Singapore: Director declares Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping’s inability to continue business
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping in court over DBS Bank bunker tanker loan
Related: Singapore: Bunker tanker “Coastal Neptune” arrested
Related: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping, Coastal Logistics tankers enter S&P market

 

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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