- Joined
- Jul 23, 2012
- Messages
- 5,424
- Points
- 0
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed out that recent probes into wrongdoing by public servants reflect the government's determination to clamp down on corruption even when they are embarrassing and awkward.
Mr Lee is the latest leader to weigh in on the issue, after a spate of lapses involving the public service.
He was speaking at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) 60th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday.
Despite the recent lapses, Mr Lee said he believes most officers are upright and trustworthy and is confident that these lapses are not typical of the public service.
The government has already announced measures to tighten the system and maintain a high standard of honesty including stricter procurement rules, as well as reviewing approving authorities and spending limits.
Mr Lee stressed though that there must be a balance between safeguards and burdening the system with too many checks.
"But we have to balance between instituting more safeguards and burdening system with too many checks because ultimately, no system can completely stop a determined cheat. Part of the solution has to be that if you do it, we will catch you and punish you.
"Ultimately the price of corruption is not just the dollar amount of the bribes but the cost to society of the bad decisions and malfunctioning systems which far exceeds the money exchanged," he said.
Mr Lee said Singapore has been able to keep the system clean by first having a strong political leadership where tough laws were enacted and enforced vigorously.
The government has also kept money out of politics and public officers are paid properly.
Mr Lee added that overall, corruption in Singapore is well under control, due in large to the CPIB's relentless efforts.
He noted that the number of complaints and cases registered had steadily decreased in recent years and the number of cases taken to court has also fallen.
He added that cases involving the government form only a small proportion of total cases and are not increasing.
Mr Lee also said keeping Singapore clean goes beyond the civil service where political leaders must continue to set high standards of honesty and integrity and society too must continue to reject corruption.
At the event, Mr Lee thanked former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong for their leadership in building a clean and incorrupt Singapore.
In cryptic reference to some recent cases where sex was allegedly exchanged for favours, Mr Lee Kuan Yew said in a statement that "we have succeeded in keeping Singapore clean and corruption free. This requires strong political will, constant vigilance and relentless efforts by CPIB to follow up every complaint and every clue of wrong doing. The latest cases are new forms of corruption with sex being exchanged for favourable outcomes. There is no end to human ingenuity."
In June, former chief of the Singapore Civil Defence Force Peter Lim, and former director of the Central Narcotics Bureau Ng Boon Gay were charged with obtaining sexual favours, in exchange for awarding contracts.
Err when has Lau Lee been? Sex for benefits have been around since the dawn of mankind!!
Mr Lee is the latest leader to weigh in on the issue, after a spate of lapses involving the public service.
He was speaking at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) 60th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday.
Despite the recent lapses, Mr Lee said he believes most officers are upright and trustworthy and is confident that these lapses are not typical of the public service.
The government has already announced measures to tighten the system and maintain a high standard of honesty including stricter procurement rules, as well as reviewing approving authorities and spending limits.
Mr Lee stressed though that there must be a balance between safeguards and burdening the system with too many checks.
"But we have to balance between instituting more safeguards and burdening system with too many checks because ultimately, no system can completely stop a determined cheat. Part of the solution has to be that if you do it, we will catch you and punish you.
"Ultimately the price of corruption is not just the dollar amount of the bribes but the cost to society of the bad decisions and malfunctioning systems which far exceeds the money exchanged," he said.
Mr Lee said Singapore has been able to keep the system clean by first having a strong political leadership where tough laws were enacted and enforced vigorously.
The government has also kept money out of politics and public officers are paid properly.
Mr Lee added that overall, corruption in Singapore is well under control, due in large to the CPIB's relentless efforts.
He noted that the number of complaints and cases registered had steadily decreased in recent years and the number of cases taken to court has also fallen.
He added that cases involving the government form only a small proportion of total cases and are not increasing.
Mr Lee also said keeping Singapore clean goes beyond the civil service where political leaders must continue to set high standards of honesty and integrity and society too must continue to reject corruption.
At the event, Mr Lee thanked former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong for their leadership in building a clean and incorrupt Singapore.
In cryptic reference to some recent cases where sex was allegedly exchanged for favours, Mr Lee Kuan Yew said in a statement that "we have succeeded in keeping Singapore clean and corruption free. This requires strong political will, constant vigilance and relentless efforts by CPIB to follow up every complaint and every clue of wrong doing. The latest cases are new forms of corruption with sex being exchanged for favourable outcomes. There is no end to human ingenuity."
In June, former chief of the Singapore Civil Defence Force Peter Lim, and former director of the Central Narcotics Bureau Ng Boon Gay were charged with obtaining sexual favours, in exchange for awarding contracts.
Err when has Lau Lee been? Sex for benefits have been around since the dawn of mankind!!
