Former Sembcorp Marine President and CEO Wong Weng Sun has been fully acquitted of six corruption-related charges brought before Singapore’s courts over the company’s business dealings in Brazil.
The case stemmed from the wider fallout of Brazil’s Operation Car Wash corruption scandal, which also ensnared Singaporean shipyard group Keppel Offshore & Marine. Both Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore & Marine have since become part of Seatrium following their merger.
Wong was charged in March 2024 after an investigation by Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). Five of the charges were brought under Section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and alleged that Wong had participated in a conspiracy to corruptly give gratification in connection with the company’s business interests in Brazil.
He also faced a sixth charge under Section 204A of the Penal Code, alleging that he had intentionally obstructed the course of justice.
More than two years after the charges were filed, Wong was granted a full acquittal by the Singapore court on 24 September 2026. The decision followed an application by the Prosecution after a stern warning had been issued in lieu of prosecution.
Wong’s legal representatives at Wong Partnership said that, to the best of their client’s knowledge, no further court proceedings are pending against him. The law firm added that his reputation had now been vindicated.
Throughout the case, Wong maintained that he had acted in the best interests of the company and consistently denied any involvement in criminal wrongdoing.
The case follows an earlier development involving Keppel Offshore & Marine, which is also now part of Seatrium. Six former senior management staff at the company received stern warnings from the CPIB in connection with bribe payments linked to Operation Car Wash.
At the time, Singapore authorities said they had faced difficulties collecting evidence, including because key witnesses based overseas were unwilling to travel to Singapore to testify.
The wider corruption saga also resulted in a settlement involving Seatrium. In February 2024, the company agreed to pay BRL671 million to settle corruption allegations in Brazil linked to Operation Car Wash.
