Construction firm, 3 men charged over alleged lapses linked to 2022 Farrer Road sinkhole

in the vicinity.

The project was undertaken by Japanese firm Nishimatsu Construction, which was handed six charges under the Building Control Act on Nov 21, 2025.

One of the men, Kho Chza Main, 55, was handed two charges under the Act and one charge under the Building Control Regulations.

The second man, Kam Mun Wai, 58, was handed one charge under the Building Control Regulations, while the third man, Ko Luan Bock, 67, was handed a charge under the Act.

The company and the trio are accused of committing the offences in or around November 2022.

Nishimatsu is accused of failing to continuously monitor and review the key tunnelling operational parameters.

Court documents stated that it had appointed Kho as the qualified person to supervise geotechnical aspects of works involving the project. He is accused of offences including failing to properly assess the ground condition at the project site.

Nishimatsu had appointed Kam as the qualified person to prepare the plans involving geotechnical aspects relating to the project. Kam had allegedly failed to assess the monitoring results and site conditions at the locations around Farrer Road.

Ko was also appointed as the qualified person by the firm, and he was tasked to supervise the structural works for tunnels linked to the project.

Ko, who faces one charge, is accused of failing to comply with certain conditions, resulting in excessive soil settlement and a road depression in the area.

The cases involving the three men and Nishimatsu have been adjourned to January 2026.