Billionaire businessman Sam Goi has confirmed that he organised and paid for dinners attended by ministers and convicted money launderer Su Haijin, describing the gatherings as informal and held prior to the implementation of Singapore’s COVID-19 restrictions in early 2020.
“It’s all for friends and I paid for them all,” Goi told Bloomberg News in an interview from mainland China.
Photos showing Su dining with several PAP ministers began circulating widely on social media in the days following the ruling People’s Action Party’s strong showing in the 3 May general election. Former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo shared the images along with commentary questioning the ministers’ proximity to Su.
A separate photo of NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng — the PAP candidate who narrowly won Jalan Kayu SMC — with Su had surfaced earlier on Sammyboyforum the previous Saturday.
Goi’s remarks appear to align with an earlier statement issued on 6 May by the press secretaries of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.
The ministers said they had attended social dinners at the invitation of a friend, where Su happened to be present, and that they had no personal or professional relationship with him.
However, a WhatsApp message shared by Yeo has cast doubt on the timeline provided by Goi — particularly regarding a dinner involving Ng Chee Meng.
In the screenshot, allegedly sent by Su Haijin on 24 September 2021, Su wrote: “What do you think? I’m having dinner with the minister,” alongside a photo of himself with Ng at a round dining table.
Screenshot of WhatsApp message shared by Charles Yeo on his Instagram, showing a date stamp of 24 September 2021.
At least four individuals are visible in the images shared in the messages, suggesting a small group dinner.
The date is notable because, under COVID-19 regulations in force at that time, dining in was restricted to groups of no more than two people, unless all were from the same household.
Social gatherings across multiple tables were also not permitted. These restrictions were only eased on 22 November 2021, when group dining of up to five was allowed regardless of household status.
If accurate, the image and timestamp suggest the dinner took place during a period of active restrictions — contradicting Goi’s claim that such events occurred before COVID-19 rules were introduced.
On Tuesday, Ng Chee Meng issued a statement acknowledging his presence at the dinner. He explained that it was part of his role to engage private sector stakeholders and stated that he had no further contact with Su after learning of the charges against him.
The photos circulated online show various combinations of Su with Ong, Chee, and other prominent individuals, including former PAP minister Lim Swee Say, billionaire Oei Hong Leong, businessman Sam Goi, and UOB-Kay Hian Chairman Wee Ee Chao.
In contrast to the dinner with Ng, there are no accompanying messages or metadata that would allow the dates of the other dinners to be verified.
Questions have also been raised about whether the meals were declared in line with civil service protocols.
Under the Public Service Code of Conduct, gifts or benefits exceeding S$50 must be declared. The PAP’s 2015 Rules of Prudence also advise MPs to avoid accepting personal favours or hospitality that may give rise to a sense of obligation or perceived influence.
A media query was sent to Ministers Ong and Chee on 6 May to ask whether they had declared the dinners in accordance with civil service rules.
As Sam Goi has since confirmed that he paid for the meals, the remaining question is whether the ministers disclosed this hospitality. As of publication, no response has been received.
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