Singaporean in 2012 LionsXII match-fixing case jailed 30 months
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — The Singaporean who was involved in fixing a LionsXII-Sarawak FA football match three years ago was sentenced to 30 months’ jail today (Oct 9) for match-fixing and cheating offences.
Former project manager Selvarajan Letchuman, 52, pleaded guilty to three proceeded charges on Sept 15, which included one count of corruptly offering RM15,000 (S$5,070) in gratification to Shokri Nor, a referee with the Football Association of Malaysia, as a reward for fixing the outcome of the football match.
The match ended in a 3-0 win for LionsXII.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts abetment by conspiracy with Thana Segar S Sinnaiah, a former Malaysian footballer, and Shokri to cheat Singapore Pools. Selvarajan was first charged in 2012, but he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal as Thana Segar and Shokri had absconded and the prosecution was unable to proceed with the case.
Thana Segar, 40 had jumped bail in 2012, and was apprehended in August last year with the help of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on April 9 this year. Shokri, 50, who is a former Malaysian policeman, is still on the run.
“Singapore adopts a zero tolerance approach towards corruption and other criminal activities, and match-fixing of any form is not condoned in Singapore,” said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in a statement today.
“The CPIB will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in matchfixing related activities.”
