Flight risk, so no bail for alleged match-fixer

A Singaporean who was among four charged with attempting to fix a South-east Asian (SEA) Games football match last month between Timor Leste and Malaysia was denied bail yesterday. 

Rajendran R. Kurusamy, 55, facing three corruption charges, had tried to seek bail through his lawyer, Mr Edmond Pereira, to attend to some family matters as well as a medical condition.

Mr Pereira said his client has a liver problem and has missed two scheduled hospital scans. He said Rajendran's family is in Singapore, and there is no likelihood of him fleeing. Also, if need be, Rajendran was prepared to report to the investigation officer daily and the court could set bail conditions.

"He should not be held just for the sake of being held because he has been involved in such match- fixing activities," he added.

But District Judge Eddy Tham was not persuaded. He agreed with Deputy Public Prosecutors Navin Naidu and Nicholas Khoo that Rajendran's offences were non-bailable.

After listening to the submissions and weighing the factors, the judge agreed with the prosecution on balance that there was a "strong likelihood" of Rajendran absconding. He took into account that match-fixers in general have the financial means and resources to escape from Singapore.

Mr Naidu had also mentioned the risk that the SEA Games could still be fixed and the danger of witnesses being tampered with should bail be given to Rajendran.

elena@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on June 11, 2015.
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