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27-08-2011, 07:32 AM
Another sad case where gambling destroys lives and careers! 
The Straits Times
Aug 27, 2011
Army captain sold classified information
Ex-SAF scholar who had gambling debts jailed for taking $53,000
By Khushwant Singh
HE HAD racked up about $100,000 in debts while gambling on cruise ships.
So when army captain Phua Poh Sim found a defence contractor willing to lend him money in return for classified information, he leapt at the chance.
The former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Merit Scholar handed over confidential data involving new combat uniforms and surveillance aircraft, and received more than $53,000 in return.
Yesterday, Phua's army career lay in tatters after he was sentenced to four months behind bars and fined $40,400.
District Judge Eugene Teo said the accomplished academic - who has at least three master's degrees including one from Britain's prestigious Cambridge University - had insulted his brothers-in-arms by 'peddling himself for a price'. He pointed out that the SAF 'operates on higher values and is driven by a noble mission'.
Phua confessed while being interviewed for promotion to major.
The 31-year-old comes from a military family. His father was a warrant officer and his brother a captain.
He committed his offences while he was a weapons staff officer between December 2007 and November 2008.
A colleague introduced him to Richard Yow Wah, the managing director of defence contractor Certified Aerospace. At one of their meetings at a karaoke lounge, Phua promised to help Yow obtain confidential information for certain projects. Soon after that, Phua confided to his new friend that Citibank was chasing him for repayments and pleaded for a $28,000 loan.
On May 3, 2008, he went to Yow's house in Serangoon Gardens and got the money in return for information on a proposal to purchase new combat uniforms. Phua was given a further $12,400 by Yow on June 28.
He also handed over classified data on the purchase of drone-like surveillance 'airships'.
Phua pleaded guilty on Wednesday. Three other charges of receiving 'loans' from Yow of $7,000, $1,700 and $4,000 were taken into consideration by the judge in the sentencing.
Before his fall from grace, Phua had served the army well, the court heard.
Enlisting as a regular in 1998, he was awarded the SAF Overseas Merit Scholarship to study at Imperial College in London and then at the University of Cambridge for a master's in philosophy.
His outstanding performance during officer cadet training earned him a stint at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in the United States.
In 2006, he was offered the overseas postgraduate award to pursue a master's in defence technology and systems programme at Temasek Defence Systems Institute.
Through this programme, he attained a master's in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and a Master of Science (Defence Technology & Systems) from the National University of Singapore.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Adrian Ooi asked for him to be given a stiff sentence for 'bringing disgrace to the SAF'.
Arguing for only a fine, Phua's lawyer Quek Mong Hua said the offences would never have surfaced had his client not confessed during the interview. A harsh penalty would deter others from coming forward to give themselves up, he added.
Phua is now suspended with no pay, said Mr Quek. He added that his client has used his own academic excellence to tutor students with remarkable success.
The judge ordered Phua to pay a penalty of $40,400 - which is the amount he received in the two charges the court proceeded on.
He will also have to pay $200,000 to the SAF for failing to fulfil the conditions of several scholarships, the court heard.
Phua looked resigned as he was handcuffed and led away by a police officer.
Yow, 58, has been charged and his case has yet to be heard.
khush@sph.com.sg
The Straits Times
Aug 27, 2011
Army captain sold classified information
Ex-SAF scholar who had gambling debts jailed for taking $53,000
By Khushwant Singh
HE HAD racked up about $100,000 in debts while gambling on cruise ships.
So when army captain Phua Poh Sim found a defence contractor willing to lend him money in return for classified information, he leapt at the chance.
The former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Merit Scholar handed over confidential data involving new combat uniforms and surveillance aircraft, and received more than $53,000 in return.
Yesterday, Phua's army career lay in tatters after he was sentenced to four months behind bars and fined $40,400.
District Judge Eugene Teo said the accomplished academic - who has at least three master's degrees including one from Britain's prestigious Cambridge University - had insulted his brothers-in-arms by 'peddling himself for a price'. He pointed out that the SAF 'operates on higher values and is driven by a noble mission'.
Phua confessed while being interviewed for promotion to major.
The 31-year-old comes from a military family. His father was a warrant officer and his brother a captain.
He committed his offences while he was a weapons staff officer between December 2007 and November 2008.
A colleague introduced him to Richard Yow Wah, the managing director of defence contractor Certified Aerospace. At one of their meetings at a karaoke lounge, Phua promised to help Yow obtain confidential information for certain projects. Soon after that, Phua confided to his new friend that Citibank was chasing him for repayments and pleaded for a $28,000 loan.
On May 3, 2008, he went to Yow's house in Serangoon Gardens and got the money in return for information on a proposal to purchase new combat uniforms. Phua was given a further $12,400 by Yow on June 28.
He also handed over classified data on the purchase of drone-like surveillance 'airships'.
Phua pleaded guilty on Wednesday. Three other charges of receiving 'loans' from Yow of $7,000, $1,700 and $4,000 were taken into consideration by the judge in the sentencing.
Before his fall from grace, Phua had served the army well, the court heard.
Enlisting as a regular in 1998, he was awarded the SAF Overseas Merit Scholarship to study at Imperial College in London and then at the University of Cambridge for a master's in philosophy.
His outstanding performance during officer cadet training earned him a stint at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in the United States.
In 2006, he was offered the overseas postgraduate award to pursue a master's in defence technology and systems programme at Temasek Defence Systems Institute.
Through this programme, he attained a master's in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and a Master of Science (Defence Technology & Systems) from the National University of Singapore.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Adrian Ooi asked for him to be given a stiff sentence for 'bringing disgrace to the SAF'.
Arguing for only a fine, Phua's lawyer Quek Mong Hua said the offences would never have surfaced had his client not confessed during the interview. A harsh penalty would deter others from coming forward to give themselves up, he added.
Phua is now suspended with no pay, said Mr Quek. He added that his client has used his own academic excellence to tutor students with remarkable success.
The judge ordered Phua to pay a penalty of $40,400 - which is the amount he received in the two charges the court proceeded on.
He will also have to pay $200,000 to the SAF for failing to fulfil the conditions of several scholarships, the court heard.
Phua looked resigned as he was handcuffed and led away by a police officer.
Yow, 58, has been charged and his case has yet to be heard.
khush@sph.com.sg
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