UPDATE:
NParks assistant director involved in Brompton Bikes case claims trial
SINGAPORE: The assistant director with the National Parks Board (NParks) who was charged last month with giving false information to public servants has indicated he will claim trial.
42-year-old Bernard Lim Yong Soon was back in court on Friday morning for his case to be mentioned.
He is accused of giving false information to officers from the National Development Ministry about his relationship with a director of Bikehop Singapore - the company that was at the centre of the controversial Brompton bicycle purchase last year.
A pre-trial conference date has been set for October 24.
According to court documents, Lim allegedly told the ministry’s officers that he did not have a personal relationship with Bikehop director - Lawrence Lim Chun How.
He also allegedly said he met Lawrence Lim for the first time at a meeting to discuss the delay of a batch of Brompton bicycles to NParks.
According to court papers, Bernard Lim gave this information which he knew was false so that his personal relationship with Lawrence Lim would likely not be investigated.
Bernard Lim also faces a second charge with abetting Lawrence Lim in denying their friendship to the ministry officials.
Previous reports have said Bernard Lim was friends with the owners of Bikehop Singapore.
No further action will be taken against Lawrence Lim.
Bernard Lim was suspended last year over the purchase of the foldable Brompton bicycles when discrepancies uncovered, suggested a possibility of bias in the procurement process.
This followed an internal audit by the ministry after it came to light that each bicycle cost S$2,200.
NParks had purchased 26 bicycles - totalling some S$57,000 - as they were needed to improve productivity of staff who inspect trees and sites.
The purchase raised eyebrows and led to questions about the tender, which was called during the Lunar New Year period, and where a six-day deadline was set for interested firms to respond.
The contract was eventually awarded to Bikehop Singapore, the only company to make a bid.
- CNA/fa