Number of complaints, investigations lowest in three decades: CPIB

SINGAPORE — The numbers of complaints received and cases investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) last year were the lowest in the past three decades.

The CPIB’s inaugural report of detailed corruption statistics released today (April 2) showed that of the 736 complaints were lodged last year, 136 cases were investigated, with a vast majority involving the private sector. 85 per cent of the investigations involved private individuals giving, offering or receiving bribes, said the CPIB, noting that more than a tenth of these cases involved public officers rejecting bribes offered by private individuals.

Private sector employees also accounted for 88 per cent of those prosecuted for corruption related offences last year. Based on cases taken to court last year, the CPIB flagged several areas of concerns in the construction, sales and logistics professions, such as giving bribes to front-line employees in departmental stores or to secure contracts, and leniency in work inspection.

In 2013, 792 complaints were lodged and 152 cases investigated.

Any person convicted of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act faces up to five years’ jail time and/or S$100,000 fine.

Members of public can lodge a complaint in person at the CPIB at 2 Lengkok Bahru, call its hotline at 1800-376-0000 or online at www.cpib.gov.sg.

In January, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the Government is further toughening its stance against corruption by reviewing anti-graft laws and beefing up CPIB’s manpower. Mr Lee had also 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.

He also announced the setting up of a one-stop centre to report corruption. CPIB’s statistics showed that complaints made in person were three times more likely to result in investigations.

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this story, it was reported that there were 136 cases investigated in 2013. We apologise for the error.