New corruption cases in Singapore last year at all-time low

SINGAPORE — The number of fresh cases handled by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) last year fell to an all-time low of 132, dipping from 136 in 2014.

This is despite a spike in the number of complaints. In all, the CPIB received 877 complaints last year, almost a fifth higher than 2014. However, complaints that lack details or provide vague or unsubstantiated information often cannot be pursued, the bureau said on Thursday (April 7).

The CPIB released the figures in conjunction with an exhibition, Declassified — Corruption Matters, at the National Library building, which was launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday. 

In his speech, Mr Lee noted that Singapore started with a strong political leadership that was determined to eradicate corruption, and it has maintained the stance ever since.

However, despite having a clean system “in a continent where corruption is a chronic problem”, Singapore cannot “permanently and completely eradicate the problem”, he said.

“Because ultimately, corruption is driven by human nature and greed, and however tight the system is, some individuals will still be tempted to break the rules. When they do, we must make sure they are caught and dealt severely with.” 

Mr Lee recounted how a Singapore Armed Forces officer who was on a course overseas was asked by his classmate about the Republic’s clean system, and how the system keeps itself in check. The officer explained the role the CPIB plays, including the fact it reports to the Prime Minister.

“And as you know, the CPIB can investigate anybody. And if the Prime Minister doesn’t give information, the CPIB can go to the President to get (his) permission,”  Mr Lee said.

Mr Lee also cited the Government’s handling of the 1996 saga involving property developer Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) as an example of its determination “to uphold the highest standards of integrity from the top all the way down”.

The HPL affair centred on allegations that Mr Lee and his late father, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, were offered improper discounts by the developer for the purchase of condominiums along Nassim Road.

Then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong ordered a full investigation into the matter, which concluded that there were no improprieties involved. The findings were presented in Parliament, followed by a three-day debate.

Mr Lee reiterated that having a clean system is not just about putting safeguards in place for the CPIB to investigate any matter, but “how we conduct ourselves in every respect”.

“(It is about) whether we uphold ourselves with integrity, whether we are transparent and are prepared to have full investigation and public accountability when rumours or doubts threaten our credibility, even if it could be awkward or embarrassing,” said Mr Lee. He later gave out commendation awards to public officers and individuals who had displayed acts of integrity and honesty. 

Meanwhile, the CPIB said on Thursday that its total caseload — including cases registered in the course of investigations and uncompleted cases brought forward from 2014 — increased last year to a three-year high of 678. 

The conviction rate for cases pursued by the CPIB was 97 per cent last year, and has remained consistently above 95 per cent for the past three years. Of the 120 individuals prosecuted in court last year for corruption offences, 90 per cent of them were from the private sector.

Many of the cases involved the construction, marine services and procurement sectors.

CPIB director Wong Hong Kuan said: “Singapore’s reputation as one of the least corrupt nations in the world is an enduring legacy of our founding fathers, including the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.”

The exhibition, where visitors can go through declassified CPIB cases, will run until May 22 at the Open Plaza at the National Library at Victoria Street. It will then move to the Tampines Regional Library, Bishan Public Library and Jurong Regional Library, before ending its run at Woodlands Regional Library on Oct 31.