PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v LIN HAIFENG

Case Significance

Public Prosecutor v Lin Haifeng [2024] SGHC 168 was a grounds of decision of the General Division of the High Court of Singapore (Magistrate's Appeal No 9061 of 2023), delivered by Vincent Hoong J on 1 July 2024 after hearings on 21 September 2023 and 21 February 2024. The case was an appeal by the Prosecution against the acquittal of Mr Lin Haifeng ("the Accused"), who had claimed trial to nine charges under s 6(b) read with ss 7 and 29(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap 241, 1993 Rev Ed) (the "corruption charges") and nine charges under s 477A read with s 109 of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed) (the "falsification charges"). The District Judge had acquitted the Accused of all charges.

On 21 September 2023, Vincent Hoong J set aside the acquittal and convicted the Accused of all nine charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and all nine charges under the Penal Code. Following submissions on sentence, on 21 February 2024 the court imposed an aggregate sentence of 21 weeks' imprisonment and a fine of $9,000, with an in-default sentence of nine weeks' imprisonment. As reflected in the catchwords, the appeal engaged criminal conspiracy. The Prosecution was represented by the Attorney-General's Chambers (Joseph Gwee and Senthilkumaran Sabapathy), and the respondent by LVM Law Chambers, including Lok Vi Ming.