CPIB investigate the tender for the Changi Motorsports Hub

[Guest fruitcakepablohoney]

HaHa

Changi Motorsports Hub tender under investigation

By Angela Lim – January 6th, 2011

http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/06/changi-motorsports-hub-tender-under-investigation/

Officials at the Singapore Sports Council are involved in a probe into the tender for the Changi Motorsports Hub.

In a move that has shocked the motorsports industry, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has launched a probe into the tender for the S$380 million Changi Motorsports Hub.

According to The Straits Times, a senior official at the motorsports development arm of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and a few others have been summoned for interviews and lie detector tests.

The CPIB launched investigations last year, after it was tipped off about possible irregularities in the tender — won by the SG Changi consortium in March last year – for the upcoming motorsports hub.

SG Changi, led by home-grown Jurong Kart World along with its Japanese partners, edged out two other bidders for the right to build the 40,000 square metre-large facility off Changi Coast Road.

The two other consortia who submitted bids were Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services, which was backed by Haw Par Corporation, a public-listed leisure and health-care products firm.

Last March, government officials were impressed by the winning bid’s innovative 3.7km track design that allows two races to be staged simultaneously, the quality of the international and local events to be brought in and the group’s financial strength.

The tendering process for the mega-project was handled by the sports council’s motorsports department, which was set up in recent years to promote the sport here.

It is staffed by a small group of officials, including those seconded from other government departments.

According to reports, the senior official at the heart of the probe is known as a passionate champion of motorsports and his involvement in the investigations has come as a shock.

After months of investigation, the CPIB case is believed to have been extended to include the consortium, which received its permit to start work from the authorities last month.

Last month, SG Changi’s director Genji Hashimoto, a former race driver, was reported to have suddenly resigned. Businessman Moto Sakuma has since taken over.

When contacted on Wednesday by the same paper, both the CPIB and Mr Sakuma declined comment. Mr Alvin Hang, SSC’s director of corporate communications and relations, said, “We are unable to comment on this matter at this point in time.”

The motorsports hub - aimed at cementing Singapore’s reputation as a regional motorsports hub following the Formula One (F1) night race here in 2008 – is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Changi track is set to host its first race early next year, and there has been talk of it staging a MotoGP leg, motorcycle’s equivalent of F1.

It remains unknown if the investigations have been conclusive thus far, but according to Mr Chia Boon Teck, a partner at Chia Wong law firm, lie detector tests are standard procedure in graft cases where the evidence is not clear-cut.

“These tests are not compulsory, and it is up to the suspect whether or not to undergo it,” he added.

[Guest jtang]

No wonder no work is done at the site so far. Sigh...looks like we have to wait longer before we see an actual race track in S'pore.

[keltanky]

Fruitcake what you did huh?? hmmmm must HAHA so loud.... hehehehe

:becky::becky:

[Guest fruitcakepablohoney]

Business as usual at Changi Motorsports Hub

by Low Lin Fhoong and Ian De Cotta 05:55 AM Jan 07, 2011

http://www.todayonline.com/Sports/EDC110107-0000250/Business-as-usual-at-Changi-Motorsports-Hub

SINGAPORE - It is business as usual despite dark clouds swirling overhead at the Changi Motorsports Hub, following reports of a probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) into possible irregularities in the tender for the $370 million project.

MediaCorp understands that Thia Yoke Kian, one of two shareholders at SG Changi, the consortium which was awarded the tender last year, is assisting the CPIB with the investigations, and had met them two months ago.

The Singapore permanent resident led the group in their successful bid to build the track, but was dropped from the management team in July.

The other shareholder is executive chairman Fuminori Murahashi.

Sources told MediaCorp that SG Changi has handed over its accounts and records to the CPIB, and is cooperating fully with the bureau.

SG Changi said yesterday that the 41-ha mega development near Changi Airport remained on schedule for completion by the end of this year, with the first motor racing event to be held in April 2012.

In fact, SG Changi said it will meet V8 Supercars Australia chief executive officer Martin Whitaker today for initial discussions on bringing the popular international series to Singapore.

Other world class events pencilled in include MotoGP and the world's first electric car race.

Said SG Changi director and general manager Moto Sakuma: "I have no comment on the CPIB case.

"Officially, it's still all systems go, and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year."

In March last year, SG Changi beat two other groups - Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services - to clinch the tender to build the motorsports hub, which will include a 4-km FIM Grade 1 and FIA Grade 2 certified race tracks, a grandstand, karting track, a quarter-mile drag racing track, motor museum and 35,000 sq m of commercial space.

Media reports yesterday said the CPIB was looking into the matter, with a senior official at the Singapore Sports Council's (SSC) motorsports industry development arm and others involved in the deal called up to assist with the investigations.

Neither the SSC nor CPIB would comment on the issue.

[Guest Gargle]

what does assist with the investigations mean?