Former Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say has addressed his presence in a photograph taken with Su Haijin, a convicted money launderer linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case.
Singapore broadcaster CNA quoted Lim as stating that the event was a “social gathering among old friends” held on 10 May 2022.
Lim explained that he had been invited to the dinner by a long-time local friend and that Su was the only unfamiliar face at the gathering.
“A small group of long-time local friends were invited by a long-time local friend to dinner. When I got there, I saw an unfamiliar face at the dinner too,” Lim stated.
He further described Su as the “only stranger” present, noting that he had no idea why Su had been included by the host.
Lim emphasised that the gathering was primarily a reunion among old friends, and Su did not attract much attention as the group focused on catching up with each other. Lim clarified that he did not have any contact with Su after the dinner.
Su Haijin, a Cypriot national, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment in April 2024. He gained notoriety after jumping from a balcony during a raid in August 2023, part of an operation targeting individuals linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case.
Over S$3 billion in assets were seized or frozen in connection with the case, which involved members of the Fujian gang, an organised crime syndicate based in Fujian, China. He was deported to Cambodia following his release.
Local businessman Sam Goi, known as Singapore’s “Popiah King,” also appeared in photographs with Su.
Goi told Bloomberg on Tuesday that he had organised and paid for the meals attended by various People’s Action Party (PAP) ministers, including Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat, as well as labour chief Ng Chee Meng.
Goi stated that the meals took place “around 2020” before Singapore implemented COVID-19 restrictions.
Goi, who is the owner and executive chairman of Tee Yih Jia Food Manufacturing, emphasised that the gatherings were purely social and that he had not maintained contact with Su.
Su was previously a director at No Signboard Holdings, a Singapore-listed restaurant company in which Goi held a minority stake. Goi remarked, “It all happened a long time ago. Let it drop.”
Ministers respond to photo controversy
Earlier, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat released a joint statement clarifying that they did not know Su personally and had no dealings with him.
They noted that their attendance at the dinners was at the invitation of a friend and that Su happened to be present on those occasions.
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng also issued a statement, explaining that his presence at the dinner where he was photographed with Su was part of his regular engagements with industry leaders. Ng stressed that he had no interactions with Su following the gathering.
According to a screenshot obtained by former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo, the date of the dinner with Ng was set for 24 September 2021.
The emergence of these photographs following the 2025 general election, in which the PAP secured significant gains in electoral votes, has drawn public scrutiny, given Su’s conviction and involvement in the S$3b money laundering case.
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