SingPost Executives Deny Full Knowledge Amid Termination Controversy
SINGAPORE: In a recent turn of events, two out of three senior executives dismissed by Singapore Post amid internal investigations into a whistleblower’s report have spoken out, claiming they were unaware of the complete facts when asked for their views. Former group CEO Vincent Phang and former group chief financial officer Vincent Yik have expressed their intention to challenge the company’s decision to terminate their employment, asserting that the process leading to their dismissal was unfair and lacked merit.
Allegations arose from a whistleblowing report received by SingPost in January, prompting investigations by the group internal audit (GIA) into the falsification of the international business unit’s parcel shipment data. The company stated that the ousted executives, along with former CEO of the international business unit Li Yu, made false statements during the probe.
## Internal Investigations Unveil Deceptive Practices
During the initial phase of investigations, an internal review uncovered a practice within the international business unit involving manual entry of delivery failure status codes for numerous parcels designated for delivery to a major client. This misrepresented attempted deliveries as failures, potentially evading contractual penalties. The whistleblower accused employees of manipulating data to circumvent penalties, resulting in the termination of three unit employees and subsequent police reports.
## Management’s Integrity Questioned During Probe
The subsequent inquiry focused on the executives’ conduct during the investigation into the whistleblowing allegations. SingPost disclosed that the executives made false claims, including denying evidence of data manipulation, falsification to avoid penalties, and insinuating customer approval of manual data entries. Furthermore, they suggested industry norms justified their actions, contradicting the internal audit’s findings.
## Executives’ Defense and Call for Understanding
In a joint statement on Dec 31, Phang and Yik emphasized that a majority of affected shipments were bound for regions with challenges like conflict zones, necessitating a thorough financial assessment before customer notification. They highlighted the importance of awaiting the forensic team’s conclusive report before agreeing with the board’s directives.
Simon Israel, the chairman of SingPost, defended the board’s decision to terminate the executives, citing legal advice and expert opinions. The company’s commitment to transparency and accountability was underscored in the face of mounting scrutiny from stakeholders.
Amid the unfolding controversy, the contrasting perspectives of the ousted executives and SingPost’s board raise questions about corporate governance, ethical practices, and the complexities of managing a global logistics enterprise. As the saga continues to unravel, the repercussions of these revelations on Singapore’s postal industry and corporate culture remain to be seen.