Jail for ex-People’s Association employee who made false expense claims for bogus durian party, dragon boat event

He was also in charge of financial accounts and prepared submissions of claims for money to be reimbursed through a system.

He was allowed to claim up to S$6,000 for expenditures incurred during community events and gatherings organised by the People’s Association. Soh decided to submit false claims “to get fast money for gambling”, the prosecution said. 

On Jul 9, 2023, he submitted a fake claim of S$5,950 for a dragon boat interest group, even though the event he stated did not occur.

As he did not have any receipt or proof of purchase, he filled in a declaration form stating that there was no official receipt. He indicated himself as the payee, and the sum was transferred to his bank account.

Three days later, he submitted another false claim of S$5,000 for a durian party that also did not take place.

He created a fake invoice to support his claim and again indicated himself as the payee. The money was later transferred to his bank account.

His offences were exposed during a routine audit check in January this year.

Soh was confronted over the false claims but denied the offences. He asked for time to find the receipts for the claims, but admitted to the false claims the next day.

The group constituency director at Tampines Group Representation Constituency then filed a police report on May 9, 2025.

The prosecution sought 14 to 18 months’ jail for Soh, saying that he had deceived a public body into disbursing a significant amount of public funds to him.

For cheating and inducing delivery of property, Soh could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined.