A foreign teacher from UK, Christopher David Burge, was charged in September last year and returned back to court today (4 Jan), where his defence lawyer said it would take four more weeks for a psychiatric report to be issued.
He was charged for taking methamphetamine, otherwise known as “Ice” as well as trying to procure the drug and having drug utensils.
Burge teaches humanity courses at Hwa Chong Institute. The school, which is formed from the merger between Chinese High School and Hwa Chong Junior College (HCJC), has produced many scholars who went on to become top SAF generals and PAP politicians:
- Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Transport; graduated from HCJC in 1988
- Grace Fu Hai Yien, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Leader of the House; graduated from HCJC in 1981
- Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry; graduated from HCJC in 1990
- Lee Yi Shyan, MP for East Coast GRC; graduated from HCJC in 1980
- Lim Wee Kiak, MP for Sembawang GRC; graduated from HCJC in 1986
- Ng Chee Meng, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office; eighth Chief of Defence Force; graduated from HCJC
- K Muralidharan Pillai, MP for Bukit Batok SMC; graduated from HCJC in 1985
- Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Communications and Information; graduated from HCJC in 1993
- Sam Tan Chin Siong, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development; graduated from HCJC in 1976
- Tin Pei Ling, MP for MacPherson SMC; graduated from HCJC in 2001
SAF personnel:
- Hoo Cher Mou, former Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF); graduated from HCJC in 1984
- Ng Chee Khern, former Chief of the RSAF; graduated from HCJC in 1983
- Ng Chee Peng, former Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy
- Ng Yat Chung, Chief Executive Officer of Neptune Orient Lines; fifth Chief of Defence Force; graduated from HCJC in 1979
Burge is accused of taking “Ice” sometime before late September last year. He also allegedly tried to obtain five packets containing crystalline substances that were found to contain 3.6g of meth.
Drug utensils were allegedly found in his possession, including three glass pipes and a glass apparatus with a straw and glass pipe attached.
He is also accused of having a packet of vegetable matter that contained synthetic cannabis.
Burge is out on bail of S$10,000 and will return to court next month.
