Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Singapore Refers Eight Civil Servants to Police Over Property Study
A research paper said some Singapore officials or their relatives may have bought homes near future train stations before the plans were announced.
The paper said these purchases could have benefited from information that was not public yet.
Singapore reviewed property deals involving 191 civil servants from 2007 to 2014.
The government has sent eight cases to the police for more investigation.
This does not mean those people have been found guilty of doing anything wrong.
Chan Chun Sing said officials must not use work information for personal gain.
He also said the government must follow evidence and fair procedures.
The study is a working paper and has not been checked through peer review.
Singapore referred eight civil servants to police for further investigation after reviewing a study alleging privileged information may have influenced property purchases.
Chan Chun Sing told parliament the referral does not establish wrongdoing; the cases could not be excluded from further review with the information available.
The government reviewed property transactions involving 191 civil servants from 2007 to 2014.
The working paper reported 113 purchases by civil servants near planned train stations and 108 purchases by their relatives before station announcements.
The study said the transactions were concentrated mostly before 2011 and declined afterward; it has not been peer-reviewed.
- Who
- Singapore's government referred eight civil servants to police; Chan Chun Sing announced the referral.
- What
- Eight cases were referred for further investigation following a review of allegations about property purchases and privileged information.
- When
- Chan announced the referral on Tuesday, October 6; the reviewed transactions covered 2007 to 2014.
- Where
- Singapore.
- Why
- The government reviewed allegations that civil servants or their relatives used privileged planning information to buy property near planned train stations.
Study's allegation
Government's caution
Use of privileged information
Study's allegation
The study alleged that civil servants and relatives made property purchases near planned train stations before public announcements, and said informed trading brought substantial gains.
Government's caution
Chan Chun Sing said allegations of misuse must be taken seriously, but decisions must be based on evidence and due process; the referrals do not establish wrongdoing.
- Police referrals
- Eight civil servants were referred for further investigation.
- Transactions reviewed
- Property transactions involving 191 civil servants from 2007 to 2014.
- Study's reported purchases
- 113 purchases by civil servants and 108 by their relatives before train-station announcements.
- Study status
- A working paper that has not been peer-reviewed.
- Trend reported
- Transactions were largely concentrated before 2011 and declined afterward.
- Government's position
- A police referral does not establish wrongdoing; the cases could not be excluded from further review based on available information.