Despite rise in complaints, no. of cases investigated slid to 132 last year; most involve private sector
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 8 Apr 2016
The number of corruption cases scrutinised by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) fell to a new low last year despite a rise in complaints.
Its latest annual statistics show it received 877 complaints last year, up from 736 in 2014 and 792 in 2013.
Of these, 132 cases were subsequently pursued, down from 136 in 2014 and 152 in 2013.
Of the cases pursued last year, 11 per cent involved public officers - a drop of 4 points against the previous year. The rest were private-sector cases.
The CPIB also said about 120 people were prosecuted last year. And nine in 10 of them were from the private sector, mainly from three sectors: construction, marine services and procurement services.
The bureau also pursues non-corruption offences uncovered in its investigation and those found criminally involved are taken to court.
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 8 Apr 2016
Its latest annual statistics show it received 877 complaints last year, up from 736 in 2014 and 792 in 2013.
Of these, 132 cases were subsequently pursued, down from 136 in 2014 and 152 in 2013.
Of the cases pursued last year, 11 per cent involved public officers - a drop of 4 points against the previous year. The rest were private-sector cases.
The CPIB also said about 120 people were prosecuted last year. And nine in 10 of them were from the private sector, mainly from three sectors: construction, marine services and procurement services.
The bureau also pursues non-corruption offences uncovered in its investigation and those found criminally involved are taken to court.
The bureau released the corruption figures yesterday, which coincides with the opening of its roving exhibition at the National Library. The show, "Declassified: Corruption Matters", was opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He reiterated Singapore's strict anti-corruption stand, saying no one is immune from being investigated. The CPIB can investigate anyone, including ministers, he added.
To enforce the law, the CPIB is kept independent, he said.
Mr Lee attributes Singapore's low corruption figures to three factors: strong political leadership, a robust and comprehensive anti-corruption framework, and a society that eschews corruption.
Elaborating, he said Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and his team knew the country had to start from a clean slate of no corruption.
Elaborating, he said Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and his team knew the country had to start from a clean slate of no corruption.
"They understood that one term of an incompetent, corrupt government, and the system will go corrupt, and the cancer would be embedded in the system."
It was symbolic, he added, that Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his People's Action Party colleagues wore white shirts and trousers at their first swearing-in ceremony, and made the all-white outfit the party's uniform.
"It symbolised their determination to keep the Government clean and incorruptible, and it has set the tone for Singapore ever since."
Singaporeans, too, expect a clean system, and do not condone giving or accepting gifts to get things done. "They readily report corrupt practices when they encounter them. Singaporeans trust the law applies to all and that the Government will enforce the laws without fear or favour," said PM Lee.
Still, Singapore cannot permanently and completely eradicate corruption, which is driven by human nature and greed, he noted.
But when people succumb to the temptation, "we must make sure they are caught and dealt severely with", he said.
PM Lee also honoured public- and private-sector individuals who have rejected bribes in their course of work. They were presented with commendation plaques.
The exhibition, which charts Singapore's anti-corruption journey, will be at the National Library in Victoria Street until May 22. From June to October, it will be on the move, to libraries in Tampines, Bishan, Jurong and Woodlands.
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'He said he'd give me everything he had'
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 8 Apr 2016
Corporal Abdul Hakim Abdul Razak vividly recalls the first time he was offered a bribe.
It was December 2013, he was aged 23 and working as an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer.
A man who stopped his car at the Woodlands Checkpoint did not have his passport. The standard protocol in such a situation was to search him and his vehicle.
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 8 Apr 2016
It was December 2013, he was aged 23 and working as an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer.
A man who stopped his car at the Woodlands Checkpoint did not have his passport. The standard protocol in such a situation was to search him and his vehicle.
Cpl Hakim found a sachet of a white powdery substance and the man offered him RM500 (S$170) to not detain him.
"He sounded really desperate. He said he would give me everything he had if I dropped the case," said Cpl Hakim, who turns 26 this year. "But I warned him that it was wrong to bribe an officer on duty."
He referred the man to Sergeant Tan Jian Bao from the Central Narcotics Bureau, who was also on duty at the checkpoint.
He referred the man to Sergeant Tan Jian Bao from the Central Narcotics Bureau, who was also on duty at the checkpoint.
The man then offered Sgt Tan RM800 to close an eye to what was clearly a drug offence. Said Sgt Tan: "It was only later that I found out the man had offered both Hakim and me a bribe."
He added: "In the course of my work, it is quite common for people to offer me and my fellow officers bribes. We have to warn them that doing it is against the law."
Yesterday, both men were commended for refusing bribes. They received commendation plaques from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The man who offered the bribes was found guilty of corruption and drug charges, and was jailed for 13 months in 2013.
The man who offered the bribes was found guilty of corruption and drug charges, and was jailed for 13 months in 2013.
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