Singapore, 8 October 2025… The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued 3-year prohibition orders (POs) under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2022 (FSMA) against Mr Tham Kok Tong, Marcus and Mr Charles Chong Yong Qin. They were both former representatives of Great Eastern Financial Advisers Private Limited (GEFA).
2 In August 2021, Mr Chong forged the signature of a client to effect the client’s request to terminate a policy. During GEFA’s investigation, he attempted to conceal this misconduct by falsely claiming that he had erroneously submitted a form signed by another individual. Mr Chong subsequently instigated that individual to assist in concealing his misconduct by providing false information to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) during their investigation on his forgery.
3 Mr Tham, who was Mr Chong’s supervisor during the material time of the misconduct, was aware of Mr Chong’s forgery and his attempt to conceal his misconduct. Given his position of authority, Mr Tham was expected to put a stop to and report any misconduct by his direct subordinates such as Mr Chong. Instead, Mr Tham encouraged Mr Chong to maintain the lie to SPF.
4 Between October 2022 and January 2023, SPF investigated Mr Chong and Mr Tham for the above misconduct. In view of their misconduct, MAS is satisfied that Mr Chong and Mr Tham are not fit and proper persons in accordance with the Guidelines on Fit and Proper Criteria under Section 7 of the FSMA.
5 Under the POs, which took effect on 8 October 2025, Mr Chong and Mr Tham are prohibited for a period of 3 years from carrying on any activity or business, or providing any service, the carrying on or provision of which is regulated or authorised by MAS, and from taking part, directly or indirectly, in the management of or acting as a director, partner or manager, of any financial institution (FI)As defined in section 2 of the FSMA. For the same duration, he is also prohibited from becoming a substantial shareholder of any FI that is a corporation, and if he is already a substantial shareholder of a FI that is a corporation, from acquiring any interest in any voting share in the FI other than a voting share in which he already has an interest.
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