Tan Chew Ling’s HDB database case: The allegations and charges

Former Housing & Development Board (HDB) group director Tan Chew Ling is accused of using her position to obtain housing information she was not authorised to access or retain. The reported court documents describe 161 accesses to HDB’s housing management submissions database over April 27 and 28, 2024. 267

What material is involved?

Tan allegedly retained three documents: an estimated rental-income assessment for a two-room unit at Duo Residences and two submissions concerning the compulsory acquisition of flat ownership. She is also accused of keeping information about seven HDB flats in Toa Payoh, Pasir Ris, Geylang, Queenstown, Bedok, Tampines and Bishan. The Duo Residences document is distinct from the information about the seven HDB flats. 27

How did her HDB role matter?

Tan was HDB’s group director for estate administration and property. According to reporting on the court documents, her position enabled her to obtain the documents and information. The allegation is that she accessed and retained material without authorisation; holding a senior role did not, by itself, authorise the activity at issue. 267

What charges does she face, and what happened in court?

Tan faces one charge under the Computer Misuse Act and one under the Official Secrets Act. The figure of 161 refers to alleged database accesses, not the number of charges. At a further court mention on September 16, 2026, the case was not resolved; a pre-trial conference was scheduled for October 20. The reported allegations concern unauthorised access and retention, not a finding that Tan sold or disclosed the information. 12729