Corruption, financial crime cases involving public officers low & stable: DPM Teo
POSTED: 24 Jul 2013 11:54 AM
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on average opened 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation.
SINGAPORE: The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on average opened 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation.
About two-thirds of the investigations involving public officers led to prosecution or disciplinary proceedings.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the minister-in-charge of the civil service, revealed this in a statement after an officer from CPIB was charged with misappropriating public funds on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and CPIB had conducted a study of public officers investigated by the two agencies over the last five years.
The public officers were investigated for corruption and other financial crimes to see whether there was any change in their number or profile.
Mr Teo said overall the study concluded that cases involving public officers have remained low and quite stable over the last five years.
But he added that keeping the numbers low requires constant effort and vigilance.
Mr Teo said many cases were reported either by the public, or by officers in the public service.
This, Mr Teo said, suggests a strong culture in Singapore and in the public service that rejects corruption.
He said: "Public institutions and public offices are held to the highest standards of integrity and conduct. What this means is that we need strong enforcement when there's wrongdoing, we need to correct weaknesses whenever we find them. But most important of all, the foundation is good values."
Mr Teo has added that the head of the civil service will share the study's findings with his officers and will make the key findings public by the end of the week.
Mr Teo said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is examining whether any supervisory lapses may have contributed to this incident.
He said PMO will take action against the officers responsible if this is so.
PMO said the prime minister had appointed an independent review panel to look at how this case happened, and to strengthen the financial procedures and audit system in CPIB to prevent a recurrence.
The recommendations of the panel are being implemented.
- CNA/xq
POSTED: 24 Jul 2013 11:54 AM
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on average opened 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation.
SINGAPORE: The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on average opened 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation.
About two-thirds of the investigations involving public officers led to prosecution or disciplinary proceedings.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the minister-in-charge of the civil service, revealed this in a statement after an officer from CPIB was charged with misappropriating public funds on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and CPIB had conducted a study of public officers investigated by the two agencies over the last five years.
The public officers were investigated for corruption and other financial crimes to see whether there was any change in their number or profile.
Mr Teo said overall the study concluded that cases involving public officers have remained low and quite stable over the last five years.
But he added that keeping the numbers low requires constant effort and vigilance.
Mr Teo said many cases were reported either by the public, or by officers in the public service.
This, Mr Teo said, suggests a strong culture in Singapore and in the public service that rejects corruption.
He said: "Public institutions and public offices are held to the highest standards of integrity and conduct. What this means is that we need strong enforcement when there's wrongdoing, we need to correct weaknesses whenever we find them. But most important of all, the foundation is good values."
Mr Teo has added that the head of the civil service will share the study's findings with his officers and will make the key findings public by the end of the week.
Mr Teo said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is examining whether any supervisory lapses may have contributed to this incident.
He said PMO will take action against the officers responsible if this is so.
PMO said the prime minister had appointed an independent review panel to look at how this case happened, and to strengthen the financial procedures and audit system in CPIB to prevent a recurrence.
The recommendations of the panel are being implemented.
- CNA/xq
