Speaking to state media TodayOnline yesterday (Apr 22), ex-PAP MP Zainudin Nordin claimed that he was involved only with Hougang Football Club’s financial sponsor when he is no longer the Football Association of Singapore (FAS)’s President:
“I was appointed as advisor to ESW Manage in January 2017. My role is to advise ESW on their CSR work. This appointment was after my stepping down as President of FAS (in November 2016).”
A deleted copy of the ESW webpage, which is still viewable on Google Cache, however proved otherwise. In the description written, Zainudin Nordin was highlighted as the current FAS’s president:
“Zainudin Nordin is a former Singaporean politician. A key member of the PAP, he was elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) from 2011 to 2015. Mr. Zainudin has also held various management appointments, one being the former Mayor of the Central Community Development Council, and the other, the current president of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).”
As such, the ex-PAP MP abused his position at ESW Manage to get the private equity firm to put through a S$500,000 donation to the FAS where he was President. FAS’s General Secretary Winston Lee has also earlier confirmed that Zainudin Nordin was the culprit who approached Hougang FC chairman Bill Ng for the S$500,000 donation.
Hougang FC chairman Bill Ng is owner of the Financial Frontier, whose portfolio listed ESW. The web page has also been deleted but could still be found on Google Cache. Despite having ESW under Financial Frontier’s portfolio, former PAP MP Zainudin Nordin claimed he has no business dealings with Bill Ng. Interestingly, ESW is currently also not listed as a former portfolio and its presence on the Financial Frontier website has vanished.
The deleting of vital public information linking Zainudin Nordin to the S$500,000 donation is likely an attempt to protect the reputation of former PAP MP and the ruling party government.
Earlier this week, a corruption probe was launched on Bill Ng, who told the media that he donated S$500,000 through the FAS and did not heard where his money has gone to in the end. The FAS, and 3 football clubs where Bill Ng is chairman, along with Bill Ng’s wife are all currently under corruption investigation. FAS will be having an election this month end (April 29th) with incumbent Lim Kia Tong and Bill Ng contesting for the role.
In the meantime, Singapore’s football ranking on FIFA is 159th in the world. Former PAP MP Zainudin Nordin was Singapore’s Football Association’s President for 7 years before he abruptly resigned in Nov 2016. The former PAP MP is now a deputy principal for ITE East College.