Underwater World, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Haw Par Corporation, has pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 12(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A).

The now-defunct oceanarium, on Jan 14, admitted to safety lapses, which came to the fore, after one of its veteran divers, Phillip Chan Kum Weng died in 2016.

See: Haw Par closes Underwater World after 25 years of operation

Chan passed away from being stung in the chest by a stingray.

The safety lapses did not directly contribute to Chan’s death, which had been ruled a tragic misadventure by a coroner in 2017.

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The court has since adjourned the case to Feb 25.

Haw Par Corporation, via a filing on SGX, says it will not comment on the press reports, and will only do so after the sentence has been passed.

Shares in Haw Par Corp closed 17 cents higher or 1.5% up at $11.33 on Jan 15.