'Necessary and useful': ST defends decision to name ex-ACS student in Cambodia scam report
The Straits Times has stood by its decision to name a former ACS (Independent) student in its report on Singaporeans linked to a Cambodia-based scam, following objections from the Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys' Association (ACSOBA).
In an editor's note attached to ACSOBA president Wong Heng Yu's forum letter published on Nov 3, ST said it was "necessary and useful for readers to be provided with as much verifiable information about these individuals as possible as it emerges and becomes publicly available".
"Our report published on Oct 30 represents what we currently know about the Singapore-linked scam gang operating in Cambodia," it said.
"It was not intended to be, nor could it be, exhaustive. There remain many individuals about whom we still have limited information, but continue to investigate. We expect more details to emerge."
The paper added that it has previously published stories where the educational background of those featured - including when they were accused or convicted of serious crimes - was mentioned.
"As was our intent here, the aim was not to cast the school in a negative light, but to report the facts and include background which adds texture to the story," ST said.
ACSOBA had earlier criticised the paper for what it called the "selective inclusion" of ACS (I)'s name in an infographic attached to an ST report about the wanted men, which it said created an "unnecessary and unfair association" between the school and criminal conduct.
While some individuals like Poh Yang Ting and Andrew Tay Jing An had additional details such as "criminal history" or "legal trouble", one, Finan Siow, was captioned "former ACS (I) student".
The debate has since spread online, with some netizens questioning why the detail was included, while others argued that mentioning a person's educational background was a standard part of factual reporting.
Prior offences
When Stomp searched for the educational backgrounds of the Singaporeans named in connection with the syndicate, such information was not publicly available.
However, court records showed that one individual, Andrew Tay Jing An, was handed two charges in 2023 for failing to attend a summons issued by the Ministry of Manpower's Labour Relations and Workplaces Division, in relation to unpaid salaries owed to employees of Aster Marketing Solutions, where he was a director.
He also faced another 11 charges for failing to pay salaries to several workers between 2021 and 2022.
Meanwhile, a Francis Tan Thuan Heng was charged on May 23, 2025, for aiding someone to provide public entertainment and supply liquor without the required licences.
He was also accused of agreeing to receive criminal proceeds into his bank account and transferring them to an unknown runner, despite having reasonable grounds to believe the funds were linked to criminal activity.
