[SINGAPORE] Singapore Kitchen Equipment’s (SKE) chief executive officer and senior manager were charged in relation to a probe by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD).

SKE on Thursday (Jun 4) said its CEO Sally Chua, who is also SKE’s executive director, and senior manager Charlene Koh, were served charges under the Penal Code on Tuesday.

The two will remain in their respective positions “pending further developments”, said SKE.

This comes as the nominating committee and the board, excluding Chua and her husband, Alan Lee, who co-founded SKE, believe it is in “the best interest of the company” for both parties to remain in their respective positions, the group said.

The charges Chua and Koh face relate to alleged offences under Sections 424A(1) and Section 477A of the Penal Code, said SKE.

Both are on bail and attended a court hearing on Wednesday, where they were informed of the next court hearing scheduled for Jul 1. Chua and Koh are currently seeking legal advice, said SKE.

In June 2023, SKE said Chua and Koh were arrested by the CAD, in relation to an investigation for potential offences under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which outlines penalties for cheating.

The CAD probe emerged after a review by law firm Rajah & Tann related to eight payments totalling to S$1.4 million, which were made by SKE’s majority shareholder QKE Holdings, on behalf of the company’s main operating subsidiary, Q’son Kitchen Equipment, The Business Times reported in June 2023.