Manifold Times was present at the BP Singapore bunker trial on Tuesday (16 April). The following report represents a brief extract of the day’s trial focusing on the cross examination of Pacific Prime Trading director Koh Seng Lee.
The BP Singapore bunker trial continued on Tuesday (16 April) at the State Courts of Singapore; focusing on the cross examination of Koh Seng Lee, the sole shareholder and executive director of Pacific Prime Trading (PPT). An earlier cross examination of Koh on 11 April can be found here.
In summary, Tuesday’s cross examination saw Deputy Public Prosecutor Loh Hui-Min claiming Koh being involved in the following alleged activities:
“I quoted to you, you deliberately suppressed the fact that PPT hired barges from New Maritime that was owned by you,” she stated.
“I quoted to you, you are not telling us the truth about your involvement in Sino Tankers Pte Ltd and United Maritime Pte Ltd.
“I quoted to you, that you deliberately supressed the full extent of your business dealings with BP Singapore through your company and companies that you have an undisclosed financial interest in.
“I quoted to you, that the profits earned by PTT do not full represent the profits earned as a result of your business dealings with BP Singapore.”
Koh disagreed with all of Loh’s allegations.
PPT previously chartered among the following bunker tankers Friendship, Fellowship, Flagship, Knight, Judge, Envoy, Armada, Luminous, and Radiance to transport marine fuel for BP Singapore.
Records from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) show Sino Tankers as the registered owner of Radiance in 6 August 2008; Luminous from 12 January 2009 to 23 August 2010; Judge from 21 December 2007 to 18 September 2013; Knight from 21 Dec 2007 to 21 August 2013; and former owner of Envoy.
PPT was formerly a sole supplier of marine fuel for BP Singapore. Koh is facing 20 charges; he is alleged to have offered bribes amounting to US$3.95 million to former BP Singapore Regional Marine Manager Clarence Chang over 19 occasions for advancing the business interests of PPT with BP.
Related: BP Singapore bunker trial: Pacific Prime Trading Director undergoes cross examination
Related: BP Singapore bunker trial: Prosecution and Defence present submissions (Part 2)
Related: BP Singapore bunker trial: Prosecution and Defence present submissions (Part 1)
Related: BP Singapore bunker bribery case update: BP bunker trade data in question
Related: BP Singapore bunker bribery case update: CPIB officer takes to the stand
Related: UPDATE: BP Singapore bunker bribery case
Related: BP Singapore bunker bribery case continues
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 April, 2019
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