Auditor-general is wife of political office-holder, but there’s no conflict of interest: Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE — Even though Auditor-General Goh Soon Poh is the wife of Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How, there is no conflict of interest generally because political office-holders are not involved in the audit process conducted by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO).

Ms Goh’s appointment also followed the necessary procedures and was based on her rich public sector experience, Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing told Parliament on Thursday (Feb 28).

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He was responding to Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (MP) Sylvia Lim, who wanted a confirmation that the new auditor-general is indeed the spouse of Mr Heng.

Ms Goh, 56, was appointed to her new role in January and took over the position on Feb 8 after the term ended for former Auditor-General Willie Tan Yoke Meng, who retired.

She was deputy secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) before this.

Parliament was in session on Thursday to hear the budget for PMO during the Committee of Supply debate.

Mr Chan said: “(Ms Lim) asked if we were aware that Ms Goh Soon Poh, the new auditor-general, is the wife of Senior Minister of State, Mr Heng Chee How. Yes, we are aware.”

He added that Ms Goh was appointed by the country’s president in accordance with the prime minister’s advice. She was proposed for the president’s approval after consulting with the chairman of the Public Service Commission.

Mr Chan said that Ms Goh has more than 30 years of public sector experience, working in various government ministries such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs and is thus familiar with governance matters related to finance, procurement and human resources.

Ms Lim, MP for Aljunied Group Representation Constituency, asked whether such an appointment would affect the public perception of the independence of the AGO.

The auditor-general leads the AGO in auditing government ministries, organs of state, statutory boards and report its findings to Singapore’s president, parliament and the public through an annual report.

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Its report could include system weaknesses, non-compliance with control procedures or legislation, and instances of excess, extravagance, or gross inefficiency leading to waste in the use of public funds and resources.

Mr Chan said that the audit observations from the AGO are conveyed to the permanent secretaries of the respective ministries.

These senior public officers are responsible for addressing the findings and reporting back to AGO.

“The audit process generally does not involve political office-holders. There is no conflict of interest generally, between AGO and the ministries it audits,” Mr Chan added.

“Where there is a potential conflict of interest, there are specific processes to manage these, just as in any professional organisation.”