Lee Kim Tah to lodge criminal complaints against ex-director involved in CapitaLand, other projects

Construction player Lee Kim Tah (LKT) will lodge criminal complaints in Singapore and India against former director Edmund Cheah Tiang Ann, escalating a dispute over alleged breaches of fiduciary duties related to the group’s Indian operations.

The move comes as LKT pursues a separate civil lawsuit against Cheah, who served as director from 2005 to 2023 and oversaw the company’s investments during his tenure.

At the centre of the allegations are transactions involving L&W Construction, a subsidiary of the LKT-Woh Hup joint venture that provided construction services to property developments in India. CapitaLand was among L&W’s clients for these projects.

LKT has accused Cheah of allowing L&W to enter into “dubious transactions” while under his supervision.

The allegations primarily concern L&W’s former managing director Asaithambi Manickam, whom LKT claims paid bribes to government officials and client employees. Cheah has denied all accusations.

The decision to file criminal complaints follows LKT’s inability to reach an agreement with joint venture partner Woh Hup on how to address the allegations against Asaithambi, the company said in a statement on Friday (Aug 22).

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No resolution

LKT said its current management gained gradual access to KPMG’s findings from late January 2024. The audit firm was engaged by LKT-Woh Hup to look into the matter around August and September 2023.

Based on these findings, LKT said it has maintained that Asaithambi should be removed from L&W’s board, have his executive powers suspended, and face accountability alongside alleged co-conspirators.

“However, LKT has been unable to achieve these objectives despite its continual efforts,” the company stated.

In January 2025, Asaithambi was placed on paid leave following “certain external events” that prompted the joint venture’s professional advisers to recommend this action, though LKT did not give further details.

By May, the advisers concluded there was insufficient evidence to definitively establish corruption on Asaithambi’s part, and determined no obligation existed to report KMPG’s findings – including bribery allegations. They recommended additional investigations before advising on potential claims.

Asaithambi remains employed by L&W, the LKT-Woh Hup joint venture, and Woh Hup, according to LKT.