Singapore Ministers Photographed Dining with Fujian Gang Boss Involved in S$3 Billion Money Laundering Case
A political storm is brewing in Singapore as several government ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) have been publicly exposed for having dined and taken photos with Su Haijin, a key figure in the country’s largest-ever money laundering case involving S$3 billion (approximately USD 2.2 billion). Su is known as a ringleader of the so-called “Fujian Gang.”
The political figures involved include Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat, and newly elected MP and former minister Ng Chee Meng.
The first photo to surface was one of Su Haijin with MP Ng Chee Meng. It was posted on Instagram on May 3 by Charles Yeo, former chairman of the opposition Reform Party.
Yeo claimed that the “Fujian Gang” came to Singapore viewing it as a safe haven. He added that the ability to take such photos "This is how close Lee Hsien Loong and the pap was to the money launderers”“ The Fujian gang had come to Singapore to be sheltered.."
On May 5, Yeo posted more group photos, showing Su Haijin with Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, and billionaire Sam Goi — widely known as Singapore’s “Popiah King” — along with other wealthy individuals.
The release of these photos has caused a major public uproar in Singapore.
According to Yeo’s post on May 6, the related posts had already garnered 1.89 million views.
On May 6, Ong Ye Kung(王乙康) and Chee Hong Tat(徐芳达) issued a joint statement clarifying that they attended the dinner at the invitation of a friend and that Su Haijin(苏海金) happened to be present. They stated that they had no personal or professional relationship with him.
However, the statement also noted that Ong recalled encountering Su again at another dinner a few months later.
If the ministers were attending the dinner as invited guests, the question arises: who organized the dinner?
Billionaire Sam Goi told Bloomberg News that he organized and paid for the meals that Su and the ministers attended, “It’s all for friends and I paid for them all.”
Su had been a director at Singapore-listed restaurant company No Signboard Holdings Ltd. after investing S$6.5 million in the business. Goi also had a minority stake in the company, which is now called Bromat Holdings.
Ng Chee Meng(黄志明) also issued a statement on May 6, clarifying the photo with Su Haijin. He stated that after learning about the police investigation into Su’s criminal activities, he cut off all contact with him.
Ng also apologized for remarks made during a previous dialogue at the Ministry of Education and requested not to be considered for any government positions.
Charles Yeo later shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message dated September 24, 2021, allegedly sent to a friend. The message read, “What do you guys think? I’m dining with a minister,” accompanied by a photo of Su Haijin and Ng Chee Meng at a round table.
Su Haijin is one of ten individuals arrested in connection with Singapore’s S$3 billion money laundering case, the largest in the country's history.
He hails from Fujian, China, and holds nationalities from Cambodia and Cyprus. On April 4, 2024, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison. He was deported to Cambodia on May 28, 2024, after completing his sentence.