(11-05-2025, 11:23 AM)Levin Wrote: [ -> ]https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/t...distancing
“I have checked my records,” said Mr Goi, owner and executive chairman of Tee Yih Jia Food Manufacturing, one of the world’s largest popiah (spring roll) wrap producers.
“The dinner with minister Chee was held on Nov 19, 2020, the dinner with Mr Ng was held on May 1, 2021, and the dinner with minister Ong was held on May 10, 2022,” he said.
Mr Goi had earlier told Bloomberg News that the dinner involving Mr Ng took place “around 2020”.
“The group size on each occasion was in full compliance with the applicable Covid safe management measures at the material time,” he said on May 9.
At the time of the dinner with Mr Ng on May 1, 2021, for example, people were allowed to gather only in groups of eight.
The dinners were held at Tong Le Private Dining in OUE Tower, TungLok Signatures at Orchard Rendezvous Hotel and Teochew Restaurant Huat Kee in Orange Grove Road.
To Mr. Sam Goi regarding the dinners:
1. **Accuracy of Dates**: You mentioned to Bloomberg that the dinner with Mr. Ng occurred “around 2020,” but later clarified it was May 1, 2021. Can you explain the discrepancy in your initial recollection?
2. **Compliance with Covid Measures**: You stated that the group sizes complied with Covid safe management measures. Can you confirm the exact number of attendees at each dinner, particularly the May 1, 2021, dinner with Mr. Ng, where the limit was eight people?
3. **Guest Lists**: Who were the attendees at each of the dinners with Minister Chee (Nov 19, 2020), Mr. Ng (May 1, 2021), and Minister Ong (May 10, 2022)? Were these gatherings personal or business-related?
4. **Venue Selection**: Why were these specific venues—Tong Le Private Dining, TungLok Signatures, and Teochew Restaurant Huat Kee—chosen for the dinners? Were they booked under your name or someone else’s?
5. **Purpose of Dinners**: What was the purpose or agenda of these dinners with Minister Chee, Mr. Ng, and Minister Ong? Were any business or policy matters discussed?
6. **Record-Keeping**: How did you verify the dates of these dinners? Are there written records, such as reservations or receipts, that you consulted to confirm the details?
7. **Covid Protocols**: Can you confirm that all other Covid safe management measures, such as masking, distancing, or vaccination status checks, were followed at these dinners?
8. **Frequency of Such Gatherings**: Were these three dinners isolated events, or do you regularly host similar gatherings with ministers or public figures? If so, how often and with whom?
9. **Public Disclosure**: Why did you feel it was necessary to clarify the details of these dinners publicly on May 9? Was there any external inquiry or scrutiny that prompted your statement?
10. **Follow-Up Engagements**: Did any follow-up meetings or communications occur with Minister Chee, Mr. Ng, or Minister Ong after these dinners, particularly regarding matters discussed during the events?