The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has dismissed Gilbert Oh Hin Kwan, a director-general at its headquarters, following his conviction and imprisonment for giving false information to a public servant.
The decision was published in the government gazette on 27 March 2025, confirming his termination from the ministry.
Oh, 46, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to misleading his superiors regarding the nature of a package transported using the diplomatic bag service.
According to court proceedings, the package contained luxury watches and items belonging to a friend of Oh’s in China.
Instead of disclosing the true origin of the items, Oh falsely claimed they belonged to his father in an attempt to avoid disciplinary consequences.
The diplomatic bag service is reserved for official government use and is protected under the Vienna Convention, which prohibits its contents from being opened or detained.
In January 2023, Oh had agreed to help a friend transport these items from China to Singapore. As the diplomatic bag service was suspended at the time, Oh arranged for an unwitting colleague to carry the package in personal luggage.
The items were subsequently discovered, prompting an internal inquiry.
When questioned, Oh misled MFA officials, stating that the items were his father’s. This explanation, he believed, would mitigate any disciplinary measures.
However, during court proceedings, District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz rejected the suggestion that a fine was sufficient. Despite both prosecution and defence proposing monetary penalties, she sentenced Oh to one week in jail.
The judge highlighted the seriousness of Oh’s actions, stating that his misconduct threatened the integrity of MFA and the wider public service.
Oh later appealed the sentence, but the High Court upheld the original ruling on 10 February 2025.
Following the High Court decision, MFA told local media that Oh remained an officer but was on no-pay leave.
This arrangement continued until the formal announcement of his dismissal was issued in late March.
MFA has not made a further public statement beyond the gazette notice regarding the dismissal.
The case drew attention to the strict protocols surrounding the use of diplomatic channels and the expectations of ethical conduct within the public service.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomatic bags are not to be opened or detained and are used solely for official communications or materials.
Misusing this channel not only breaches internal policy but also raises concerns about international obligations and Singapore’s diplomatic reputation.
The involvement of a fellow MFA officer, who was unaware of the true nature of the package, further underscored the gravity of the offence and the potential consequences for the ministry’s operational integrity.
It remains unclear whether additional internal reviews or procedural changes will be implemented by MFA to prevent similar incidents in future.
Oh has not publicly commented since the conclusion of his appeal.
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