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Tag: CPIB

  • Former CPIB Staff Charged In Court For Cheating And Theft

    Former CPIB Staff Charged In Court For Cheating And Theft

    A former staff member from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was charged in court today, 27 February, with offences that include cheating and theft.

    25 year-old Christopher Gan Boon Khong, an assistant with CPIB was charged with 15 offences – two counts of theft of credit and debit cards, 12 incidents of cheating and one of causing hurt.

    On 2 July 2014, Mr Gan allegedly stole a debit card at a club at Jalan Sultan on 2 July 2014, before proceeding to another club at Tanglin Shopping Centre to use the card to pay for liquor worth $358.

    He then went to another club and attempted to pay for four bottles of liquor worth $776. In the same night, he allegedly assaulted another man at the first club.

    Mr Gan was also alleged to have stolen another credit card earlier on 29 June 2014, and had similarly attempted to use the card to pay for liquor worth $135, and flower garlands totalling $1,430.

    The penalty for cheating is up to 10 years of jail time and fines for each charge; for theft, up to three years in jail and fines; and for causing hurt, two years in jail and a fine.

    Bail of $15,000 was allowed, and Mr Gan had indicated he would legal services from the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

    CPIB has said in a statement to media that Gan had resigned from the service on 4 July 2014. “CPIB does not condone any criminal or improper acts by its officers. Errant officers will be dealt with and can expect to face criminal and/or disciplinary proceedings if they are involved in any wrongdoings.”

    In February 2014, a former assistant director of CPIB, 40 year-old Edwin Yeo Seow Hiong, was sentenced to 10 years of jail for misappropriating $1.76 million. Mr Yeo had faced 21 charges, to which he admitted to four.

     

    Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

  • Lee Hsien Loong: Important To Combat Corruption

    Lee Hsien Loong: Important To Combat Corruption

    A review of the Prevention of Corruption Act and a new One-Stop Corruption Reporting Centre are in the works to enhance the republic’s fight against corruption, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this morning (Jan 13).

    Speaking to some 600 public servants at today’s conference on integrity as a public service value, he said: “The trust that Singaporeans have in the public service as an institution, and each one of you individually, is critical… Overall, our system is clean and maintains high standards. But we must keep working at them… We must maintain our zero tolerance for corruption, regardless of the rank and seniority of the officers involved.”

    Faced with increasing transnational challenges, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is currently reviewing the Prevention of Corruption Act with the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The Bureau’s manpower will also be increased by more than 20 per cent.

    Calling Singapore the “shining exception” amid countries like the US and China, where corruption is a problem, Mr Lee called for members of the public to play their part in maintaining the public service’s “zero tolerance for corruption”.

    To increase public engagement, so that more can play a part in the fight against corruption, a One-Stop Corruption Centre will be set up so that complaints can be made more discreetly and in a more accessible manner, said the Prime Minister.

    The centre will likely be set up in the central area and be open during office hours. It will be accompanied by a heritage gallery.

    Currently, whistle-blowers can make complaints by calling the CPIB’s 24-hour hotline or by walking in to the Bureau.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Lee Hsien Loong On Corruption And Political Office Holder Salaries

    Lee Hsien Loong On Corruption And Political Office Holder Salaries

    Turning to corruption, PM Lee said he views anti-corruption not as a political issue, but as a key factor in economic development. “There are, of course, times when people flout the rules, or violate the law; we don’t care who it is, they will be punished by strict laws. Because if we protect the person, or cover up, or hush it, I think everyone will know sooner or later,” he said.

    “The situation has changed, Singapore is different from before … When everyone comes to Singapore, they have to understand, you need to pay fees, and fees have receipts, they are accounted for. Other than that, it will be under-table for private transactions. I think this is our advantage in competition,” he added. He also tipped his hat to Chinese president Xi Jinping’s efforts to fight corruption in his own country.

    He also spoke on the topic of high ministerial salaries, speaking in defence of the existing, but controversial, system of pay.

    “In principle, it is not about a high salary, but rather a realistic and commensurate salary,” he said. “The most important jobs have to be done by the most capable and reliable people. And if you want capable and reliable people for these jobs, then you have to treat them equally and fairly.

    People often say they should be motivated by a sacrificial spirit, a spirit of service. Since they are doing it for the country and for the people, they must be willing to put aside their personal benefit and forge ahead selflessly. This definitely holds true.

    “But at the same time, these are peaceful times, not a revolutionary period, and everyone needs to support their families and plan for their future,” he continued. “Those people who are capable may choose not to make the sacrifice and hope someone else will do it. So in this context, we need a pragmatic system, a realistic wage … so it is not just a matter of salaries, but also a matter of the system, of transparency, and of our culture of governance.”

    Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

  • Singapore 7th In Ranking Of Least Corrupt Countries Globally

    Singapore 7th In Ranking Of Least Corrupt Countries Globally

    Singapore has slipped two places in a ranking of countries seen as being the least corrupt in the world.

    It came in seventh in this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index, which is compiled by graft watchdog Transparency International (TI), after three years of taking the No. 5 spot.

    The Republic’s score fell two points to 84 this year from 86 last year, according to data released by TI on Wednesday. A score of 100 means a country is perceived as being very clean while a score of zero means a country is viewed as highly corrupt.

    The top five countries in this year’s index – Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden and Norway – held on to the same positions as last year. Top scorer Denmark came in with 92 points, up from 91 last year.

    But Switzerland, which ranked seventh last year, overtook Singapore to be joint fifth with Norway – the position Singapore held last year.

    China, Turkey and Angola were among the countries whose reputations for corruption worsened the most over the last year, TI said.

    North Korea and Somalia shared last place in the index with a score of just eight.

    TOP TEN:

    1. Denmark 92

    2. New Zealand 91

    3. Finland 89

    4. Sweden 87

    5. Norway 86

    5. Switzerland 86

    7. Singapore 84

    8. Netherlands 83

    9. Luxembourg 82

    10. Canada 81

    TEN IN MID-RANGE:

    12. Germany 79

    14. Britain 78

    15. Japan 76

    17. United States 74

    26. France 69

    64. Turkey 45

    69. Brazil 43

    85. India 38

    100. China 36

    136. Russia 27

    BOTTOM TEN:

    166. Eritrea 18

    166. Libya 18

    166. Uzbekistan 18

    169. Turkmenistan 17

    170. Iraq 16

    171. South Sudan 15

    172. Afghanistan 12

    173. Sudan 11

    174. North Korea 8

    174. Somalia 8

    The full list will be published on www.transparency.org

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Customs Officer Charged For Attempting To Obtain Sexual Gratification From Woman Carying Duty-Unpaid Cigarettes

    Customs Officer Charged For Attempting To Obtain Sexual Gratification From Woman Carying Duty-Unpaid Cigarettes

    A customs investigation officer was charged with corruption on Thursday for attempting to receive sexual gratification in exchange for turning a blind eye on illegal cigarettes.

    Jonathan Sasayiah, 28, had caught Ms Nursusilla Kassim on July 15 this year carrying cigarettes that had been carried into Singapore without paying customs duties.

    He had suggested that he give him sexual gratification in exchange for leniency on the possession.

    The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said that “Law enforcement officers are vested with the authority to clamp down on illicit activities in Singapore. Any law enforcement officer who even attempts to abuse this authority for personal and corrupt gains will face severe consequences”.

    The CPIB also reiterated that Singapore has a zero tolerance policy and anyone involved in such acts will be prosecuted.

    The Customs Officer faces up to 5 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted of corruption.

     

    Source: http://therealsingapore.com