Govt announces stronger measures to fight corruption

SINGAPORE — The Government is further toughening its stance against corruption by reviewing anti-graft laws and beefing up the manpower of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) by more than 20 per cent, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced yesterday as he noted that high-profile cases in recent years have hurt Singapore’s pristine reputation not just in the eyes of the public but also among the international community.

To allow complaints to be made more discreetly and in a more accessible manner, a one-stop centre to report corruption will also be set up in the city centre. Currently, whistle-blowers can make complaints at the CPIB’s offices in Lengkok Bahru or by calling the bureau’s 24-hour hotline.

More details on the initiatives will be announced later.

Speaking at the Public Service Values conference, which was attended by some 600 public servants, Mr Lee noted that the Republic had dropped two ranks to seventh in the Corruption Perceptions Index compiled by graft watchdog Transparency International — which “may have something to do with the high-profile cases we have seen in the last few years”, he said, referring to the cases of former Singapore Civil Defence Force Commissioner Peter Lim, who was sentenced to six months’ jail in a sex-for-contracts case, and former CPIB assistant director Edwin Yeo Seow Hiong, who was jailed 10 years for misappropriating funds.

“We must not let Singapore’s image be damaged. That would be a disservice to the many exemplary officers we have,” said Mr Lee, who also cited examples of police and SCDF officers rejecting bribes offered by offenders as the “standard that we must all live by”.

He stressed that the Republic must maintain its zero tolerance for corruption, regardless of the rank and seniority of the officers involved. He added that integrity is not just a value in the Public Service, but one which has been firmly ingrained in Singapore. “Whether in the public service, or the private sector, or organisations in between like the town councils, we expect the same level of integrity,” Mr Lee said.

He noted that corruption is an issue in many countries, including the United States and China. “In our own region, corruption is endemic, and a very serious problem in many countries,” he said. “Fortunately, Singapore is the shining exception. But we must never take this for granted.”

Pointing out that the level of trust the Public Service enjoys is a “most unnatural state of affairs”, Mr Lee said the Republic’s leaders must continue to set the tone from the top down and act with integrity. The Public Service also has to continue to emphasise integrity as a value, and the country must strengthen its system against corruption.

Adding that the CPIB has been an effective deterrent, Mr Lee said anti-graft efforts have to go beyond having a strong bureau. Among other things, the authorities have to constantly review procurement rules and use technology to detect wrongdoing in a faster-paced, more-complex environment — for example, using big data to flag out irregularities in transactions, he said.

CPIB said the last substantial review of the Prevention of Corruption Act in 1989 led to higher maximum penalties and making the provision of false information an offence. The current review, which started last year, is undertaken jointly by the bureau and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan suggested that, for example, intangible benefits should also be deemed as corrupt gratifications and the Act should make clear that those who engage third parties which are subsequently involved in corrupt deals are not absolved of legal liability. Maximum penalties, which are based on a 1989 benchmark, should also be relooked given that the money involved in corruption cases have increased, he said.

Noting that Singapore companies are increasingly doing business overseas and often in countries known for high levels of corruption, National University of Singapore’s Professor Mak Yuen Teen said enforcement of the Act, especially for extra-territorial cases, should be strengthened.

As corruption cases become more sophisticated, lawyer Daniel Chia of Stamford Law Corporation said it is important the authorities are equipped with adequate skills and resources to root out corrupt acts disguised as seemingly legitimate corporate transactions.

Associate Professor Tan also felt that public education must be stepped up against the perils of corruption. To that end, the CPIB will set up a heritage gallery, which will be co-located with the one-stop reporting centre. CPIB said: “This new facility will provide a more accessible and convenient platform for members of the public who want to make corruption-related complaints or to learn more about corruption, history of the Bureau, and Singapore’s journey in the fight against corruption.”