In one of Singapore’s most significant corporate fraud cases involving public transport, three former SMRT employees and an accomplice have been sentenced to jail for cheating the rail operator of more than S$4 million. The case has raised serious concerns about corporate ethics and integrity within organizations handling essential public services.
The elaborate scheme, which took place between 2007 and 2012, involved the manipulation of SMRT’s contracting system and the creation of a front company to secure lucrative deals.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The convicted men — Jamalludin Jumari, Zakaria Mohamed Shariff, Zulkifli Marwi, and an accomplice Akbar Ali Tambishahib — were all connected to SMRT’s Permanent Way Branch, responsible for maintaining railway tracks.
Jamalludin and Zakaria, both senior members of the team, secretly set up a company called Enovation Industries, later renamed Enovation Technologies, under another person’s name to disguise their involvement. Through this fake entity, they successfully secured 26 requests for quotations and two major tenders from SMRT.
Among these contracts was a timber sleeper deal worth S$3.7 million — a key component in rail maintenance. The group reportedly set profit margins exceeding 400% on some contracts, inflating costs and pocketing the difference.
Discovery and Consequences
The scam unraveled when SMRT discovered that some of the timber sleepers supplied by Enovation were below required specifications, compromising safety and quality. This discovery prompted an internal review, leading to the termination of the contract and a subsequent investigation by Singaporean authorities.
In court, the prosecution emphasized how the group betrayed SMRT’s trust, exploiting their insider knowledge and authority to enrich themselves at the expense of a public transport operator relied upon by millions daily.
District Judge Janet Wang condemned the offense as a “serious breach of integrity”, noting that their actions could have undermined public confidence in Singapore’s rail system.
Sentencing and Accountability
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Jamalludin Jumari and Zakaria Mohamed Shariff — the masterminds — were sentenced to four years and nine months each.
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Zulkifli Marwi, a line manager, and Akbar Ali Tambishahib, the figurehead director, received 26 months’ imprisonment, as the court found their roles to be of lower culpability.
All four men have indicated plans to appeal their sentences, though the judgment stands as a strong reminder of the zero-tolerance stance Singapore takes toward corruption and fraud.
A Lesson in Corporate Ethics
This case is more than a story of crime and punishment — it’s a lesson in accountability. When individuals entrusted with critical public infrastructure abuse their positions, the consequences go beyond financial loss. They erode public trust in systems that form the backbone of daily life.
The SMRT fraud highlights why strong corporate governance, internal checks, and transparent procurement systems are vital to protecting public interests. For both Singaporeans and international observers, this case serves as a powerful reminder that integrity is non-negotiable in public service.
