SCDF and CNB chiefs on bail, in separate investigations

[General Veers]

SCDF and CNB chiefs on bail, in separate investigations

Published on Jan 25, 2012

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) chief Peter Lim Sin Pang (left) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) director Ng Boon Gay (right) were arrested on Jan 4 and Dec 19 respectively, by officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) chief Peter Lim Sin Pang and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) director Ng Boon Gay were arrested on Jan 4 and Dec 19 respectively, by officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

The bureau, responding to queries from The Straits Times on Wednesday, said both men were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) but were released on on bail and are now assisting the CPIB in what are 'separate investigations'.

The CPIB did not elaborate on the details of their probe, a spokesman said: 'Given the nature of our work and as our investigations under the PCA are still ongoing, the CPIB is unable to provide further details.'

'Singapore adopts a zero tolerance approach to corruption,' said the spokesman. 'The CPIB will investigate any allegations of corruption without fear or favour and will not hesitate to bring those who have breached our tough anti-corruption laws to task.'

The Home Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday that both men have been removed from their posts. Both men, former government scholarship recipients with more than 40 years in the uniformed services altogether, were put on leave from the start of investigations.

The probe began late last month for Mr Ng, 44, and earlier this month for Mr Lim, 51. Both are suspended from their duties from Wednesday pending disciplinary proceedings
​

 

[General Veers]

CPIB probe: Public should wait before passing judgment, say MPs

Leave CPIB to do its work, let's not jump to conclusions, say MPs

​

Published on Jan 25, 2012

Mr Hri Kumar Nair (left) and Mr Alvin Yeo (right). -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW

By Leonard Lim , Tham Yuen-C And Elizabeth Soh

The public should await the outcome of investigations before passing judgment on the case involving two senior Home Team officers, said MPs on Tuesday.

Mr Hri Kumar Nair, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Law and Home Affairs, said: 'The authorities are doing what they are expected to do. Let's not jump to conclusions and start making judgments before the authorities have finished investigations.'

He was reacting to news that the chiefs of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) have been replaced and are being investigated. His views were echoed by fellow GPC member Alvin Yeo, who said: 'It is good to know that our authorities are vigilant and will follow up on every lead.'

Without referring to specific cases, he added that incidents of improper conduct over time show that despite Singapore's good track record on preventing corruption in the public sector, the authorities cannot let their guard down.

Corporate governance expert Mak Yuen Teen said that while there would be concern over probes involving key government officers, what is also clear is how there are processes in place to check corruption, and even senior officers can be placed under probe. 'This shows that anti-corruption agencies can work without fear,' said the associate professor at the National University of Singapore Business School.

But he added that the news could be 'fairly damaging' to the reputation of the civil service, coming soon after the recent case of two former Singapore Land Authority senior executives being jailed for cheating it and other government agencies of more than $12 million: 'More of these incidents could damage the public sector's reputation for low corruption.'

SCDF and CNB officers contacted on Tuesday were taken aback by the news. An SCDF man who worked with Mr Peter Lim Sin Pang for two years described his boss as someone who 'stuck to the rules and expected us to do the same'. Police officers who had worked under Mr Ng Boon Gay - previously Criminal Investigation Department head and Tanglin Division commander - described a go-getting leader who earned his officers' respect and loyalty.

This is one of the highest-level probes involving public servants since former Commercial Affairs Department director Glenn Knight was convicted of graft in 1992 and 1998. He was debarred from practising law in 1994, and was reinstated in 2007.

In 1995, the former deputy chief executive of national water agency PUB, Mr Choy Hon Tim, was jailed 14 years for taking close to $14 million in bribes for giving out privileged information about PUB tenders to contractors.
​

 

[General Veers]

SCDF and CNB chiefs under CPIB probe

Satish Cheney

<cite style="display: block; font-style: normal; font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; ">(Pic / Internet)</cite>
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Commissioner Peter Lim and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) director, Ng Boon Gay are among eight officers being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, reported Lianhe Wanbao.

The report said Lim had been suspended for nearly a month while Ng has been questioned by CPIB officers. Six other SCDF officials including two high ranking ones are allegedly being investigated as well.
The Chinese daily reported that sources said the case is "linked to money and women."

In a statement to the media, the Home Affairs ministry said both Lim and Ng are helping the CPIB with investigations into alleged "serious personal misconduct." The ministry said they started investigating Ng from the end of December last year while Lim’s case began early this month. Both of them were placed on leave when the probe started.

The ministry said it is not able to comment on the cases as investigations are still underway. The statement also said, “Their duties have been covered by their respective deputies. Taking into account the current status of the investigations, both will be interdicted from their duties with effect from 25 January 2012, pending disciplinary proceedings.”

Mr Eric Yap Wee Teck and Mr Ng Ser Song will assume command of the SCDF and CNB respectively, from 1 February. In response to the investigations, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said,

"All public officers, regardless of their position or seniority, are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and conduct. The Government takes a serious view of public officers who misconduct themselves. Any allegations of misconduct made against public officers will be investigated fully and thoroughly.”

"I would like to re-affirm my confidence in our SCDF and CNB officers, who are honourable professionals risking their lives on a daily basis to keep our citizens safe and secure," he added.

Both Lim, 51, and Ng, 45, are Public Service Commission (PSC) scholars. Lim has been with the SCDF for 24 years. Ng who was previously in the C.I.D, helped set up the Casino Investigation Branch. He headed over to the CNB in January last year.

Incidents like these are rare in the city-state which prides itself in being one of the least corrupt cities in Asia. In the 2011 Transparency International rankings, the Republic was placed placed fifth in the world when it comes to being corruption-free.

In 2010, it was placed first.

 

[General Veers]

 

[General Veers]

Both Chiefs linked to woman IT executive

On Jan 5, anti-corruption investigators under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) swooped in unannounced on the Ubi Avenue 4 office of Mr Peter Lim, then Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

A short time later, the engineering graduate – who was promoted to SCDF chief in 2009 – was taken to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). His men were later told he was on leave. Indefinitely.

He wasn’t the only senior officer under MHA to be hauled in.
Earlier, Mr Ng Boon Gay, director of the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), had been picked up in the same investigation.

The New Paper had become aware of the investigation after Mr Ng was picked up in late December.

... and here's the juicy part from the report:
Missing in the MHA statement is the role played by an executive with a company that supplied IT-related products and services to several govt offices including MHA and SCDF.

She is said to have developed a close working relationship with both Mr Ng and Mr Lim.

but Mr Lim and Mr Ng were unaware of each other's dealings with the woman, who is also assisting with investigations.

No money is thought to be involved, but the close relationship with the woman & the 2 men are enough to be a cause for concern.

Both men have confirm their relationship with the woman.

 

[General Veers]

40 year old MILF

 

[General Veers]

No staffer called up to assist with CPIB probe: ST Electronics
By Joanne Chan | Posted: 26 January 2012 1432 hrs

SINGAPORE: ST Electronics says none of its executives has been called up by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to help with investigations.

Its spokesperson said this in response to media queries over reports that one of its staff is believed to be involved in the probe into former chiefs of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

Former SCDF commissioner Peter Lim and former CNB director Ng Boon Gay were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act over allegations of "serious personal misconduct".

Both men are now out on bail and are assisting the CPIB in separate investigations.

They are said to have been in a close working relationship with a woman IT executive at a company that supplied IT-related products and services to several government agencies.

Their cases are believed to be linked to tenders awarded to the company.

Online forums are abuzz over the identity of this mystery woman, and focus has turned to ST Electronics - a major IT provider to several government agencies.

In 2009, it clinched a S$34 million contract from SCDF to build a command and control system.

One media report said on Thursday that an ST Electronics staff is assisting with investigations. ST Electronics denies knowledge of this.

- CNA/ir

 

[General Veers]

Premature to assume ex-chiefs of SCDF, CNB liable for criminal proceedings:CPIB
By S Ramesh | Posted: 26 January 2012 1019 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore's anti-corruption agency has stressed that as investigations are still on-going, it is premature to assume that former commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force Peter Lim Sin Pang and former director of the Central Narcotics Bureau Ng Boon Gay, would be ultimately liable for any criminal proceedings.

In a statement to Channel NewsAsia late Wednesday, the Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau (CPIB) explained that "prosecutorial discretion when any criminal wrongdoings are revealed lies with the Attorney-General".

In the case of public servants, especially where there are no criminal wrongdoings but serious misconduct, the matter may also be referred to the Ministry or agency concerned for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken.

On December 19 last year, CPIB arrested then director of the Central Narcotics Bureau, Ng Boon Gay.

On January 4 this year, it also arrested then commissioner of the Civil Defence Force, Peter Lim Sin Pang.

They were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Both men are presently out on bail and are assisting the Bureau in separate investigations.

In the statement, CPIB once again emphasised that it takes a serious view on corruption in Singapore.

All complaints and allegations of corruption are carefully evaluated.

Investigations into allegations of corruption will be carried out where an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act is disclosed and pursuable.

CPIB said where there are indications that a person may have information related to an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he may be interviewed and a statement recorded from him.

In the case of a person who may have committed an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he may be arrested and brought back to CPIB for further investigations.

He can be detained for up to 48 hours and a search may be made of the person or premises associated with him.

Thereafter, the person may be released unconditionally or placed on bail.

Upon completion of its investigations, the CPIB will refer the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers with the necessary recommendations.

- CNA/cc

 

[General Veers]

Exposed: ex-SCDF & CNB chiefs involved with a woman
Lina Chan

<cite style="display: block; font-style: normal; font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; ">(Pic / SPH)</cite>
The suspended Singapore Civil Defence (SCDF) Commissioner and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) Director reportedly have a close working relationship with a female IT executive.

Both men are currently being probed by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for alleged "serious personal misconduct".

According to The New Paper, the two men have confirmed their relationship with the woman; however, they appear unaware of each other's dealings with the woman.

The Straits Times also reported that the two men had improper relations with a woman from a top American multinational firm.

However, that report has yet to be confirmed or commented on by the CPIB.

It remains unclear whether money was involved in the liaisons between the IT executive and the two men, but their close relationships have raised concerns, resulting in a complaint lodged with the CPIB.

The abovementioned IT executive, as well as SCDF officers, and employees of private sector IT firms are currently assisting in the investigations.

 

[hokkien]

knn the women sex skills very good i guess

 

[General Veers]

No delay in releasing news of CPIB probe: MHA

Published on Jan 27, 2012

There was 'no delay' in releasing news of the corruption probe into two top senior civil servants, Peter Lim (left) and Ng Boon Gay (right), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Friday afternoon. -- PHOTOS: SCDF, CHEW KOK WEI

By Leonard Lim

There was 'no delay' in releasing news of the corruption probe into two top senior civil servants, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Friday afternoon. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) started investigating one officer on Dec 19, and the other on Jan 4.

Earlier, the authorities had said that former Central Narcotics Bureau director Ng Boon Gay was arrested on Dec 19, and ex-Singapore Civil Defence Force commissioner Peter Lim on Jan 4. MHA: No delay in releasing news of CPIB probe

The MHA statement said that in the CPIB investigations, it is normal procedure for the person to be placed under arrest if the CPIB assesses that there is some basis for suspecting that the person may have committed an offence. That person can then be released on bail and is required to return for further investigations as needed, it added.

Both officers were placed on leave when the investigations began and the Ministry said that it was premature then to make any announcement as CPIB investigations had just started and the outcome was not known. An announcement could also compromise CPIB investigations, the MHA said.

On Jan 20, the CPIB informed the MHA that although their criminal investigations have not been completed, there was sufficient basis for the Ministry to consider civil service disciplinary action for misconduct. The MHA initiated action to suspend the men from their duties, which took effect from Wednesday and commence civil service disciplinary proceedings.

It also took action to appoint their replacements to ensure leadership continuity in both departments. The announcements were to have been made on Wednesday, but as news of the investigations had already appeared, the MHA decided to advance the media release by one day.

Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Wanbao broke the news on Tuesday, triggering a storm of public discussion and media coverage. Among the questions being raised was why the authorities took so long to make the affair public.

'Due process has to be followed to facilitate investigations, to be fair to officers accused, and to avoid prejudicing any legal or disciplinary proceedings,' the MHA statement said.

It added: 'These cases demonstrate that any allegations of misconduct against public officers will be investigated fully and thoroughly, regardless of their position or seniority, to uphold the highest standards of integrity and conduct in the public service.'
​

 

[General Veers]

CPIB probe: Netizens speculate on mystery woman
Shin Min Daily News

<cite style="display: block; font-style: normal; font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; ">Peter Lim Sin Pang (left), Ng Boon Gay (right)</cite>
Netizens are actively speculating the identity of the mysterious woman in the current high profile sex and corruption case involving two chiefs from the home team.

The case involves Peter Lim Sin Pang and Ng Boon Gay from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

Both men are believed to have admitted to having improper relationships with a woman.

The 36-year-old woman's identity remains a mystery, although she is currently helping in investigations on the two men.

According to various reports, the woman is married to a businessman and has been described as tall, slim, vivacious, stunning, and with shoulder length hair.

She works in an American multinational software company as an IT executive and was previously a sales director in a Japanese multinational company.

Her involvement with the men is believed to be related to the procurement of IT-related products between her company and the organisations headed by the two men.

Reports say that she has been close with Mr Ng, the CNB chief, for three years, while having a relationship with Mr Lim, the SCDF chief.

Both men appear unaware that she had been involved with both of them.

Amidst popular speculation, a number of companies that provide IT products and services have clarified that they have nothing to do with the case.

These companies include ST Electronics, National Computer Systems and Oracle Singapore.

Many netizens are however, proving to be unrelenting in their search for the mystery woman based on information gathered from reports.

So far, the search has not yielded the woman's identity.

Source: Shin Min Daily News, 27 January 2012.

 

[General Veers]

CPIB probe: Woman IT exec involved with both men

Published on Jan 27, 2012

The 36-year-old woman is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in the cases involving the former chiefs of the SCDF and CNB, Mr Peter Lim Sin Pang (left) and Mr Ng Boon Gay (right). -- PHOTOS: SCDF, CHEW KOK WEI

By Leonard Lim & Tham Yuen-C

A married IT executive is believed to have had sex with two top-ranking public officers being investigated under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The 36-year-old woman is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in the cases involving the former chiefs of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Mr Peter Lim Sin Pang and Mr Ng Boon Gay.

Sources told The Straits Times that the two men had been unaware that she had been intimate with both of them. Both officers are married. In Mr Ng's case, he had known the woman for over three years and they are believed to have been close since early 2009.

She is said to be an employee of an American multinational software company which she joined about six months ago. She was previously a sales director at a Japanese multinational company and it is understood the probe is related to her time at this firm, which provides IT storage solutions for businesses and organisations.

The woman, whose husband is a businessman, is believed to have left her previous job about the time the CPIB investigations began. In the investigations concerning Mr Ng, it is believed that he signed two IT-related procurement contracts through the normal processes of multiple levels of checks and the normal basis for awarding such tenders: the lowest quote available.

The woman's previous firm was a subcontractor to two other companies which were awarded these contracts and it is believed the name of the Japanese subcontractor would not have been stated in the tender documents when Mr Ng approved them.

It is believed that the amounts involved in the two contracts totalled around $350,000. The case surrounding the SCDF's Mr Lim is also believed to involve the tender and procurement of IT-related products.

Public discussion has been swirling around the identity of the mystery woman connected to the probe since Wednesday, when a New Paper report said a woman IT executive linked to both Mr Lim and Mr Ng was involved in the case. It is believed that both men admitted during questioning that they had improper relationships with a woman.

Staff of private IT firms aiding in probe

The Straits Times could not contact the woman directly for comments on Thursday but she was described by friends and contacts as tall, slim, long-haired and vivacious. The CPIB said on Wednesday both Mr Ng and Mr Lim, who were arrested separately under the Prevention of Corruption Act, were out on bail and helping in what the bureau called separate investigations.

Mr Ng, 44, was nabbed at his Bukit Batok home on Dec 19. Mr Lim, 51, was taken in on Jan 4. The former government scholarship recipients, who together served more than 40 years in the uniformed services, have been suspended from their duties since Wednesday. They will be replaced from Feb 1.

Both have started to seek legal advice, and it is understood that Mr Ng's wife and family are standing by him, offering their full support. Another six senior SCDF officers, along with employees in private sector IT firms, have been assisting in the probe too.

Mr Ng and Mr Lim were investigated following allegations of 'serious personal misconduct', the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had said on Tuesday. A CPIB statement a day later said: 'As investigations are still ongoing, it is premature to assume that former commissioner of the SCDF Peter Lim Sin Pang and former director (of) CNB Ng Boon Gay would be ultimately liable for any criminal proceedings.'

The bureau had added that in the case of public servants, and especially where there may be no criminal wrongdoings but serious misconduct, the matter may also be referred to the ministry or agency concerned for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken.

Meanwhile, ST Electronics issued a statement on Thursday clarifying that none of its executives had been called up by the CPIB to assist with investigations into the case. The New Paper had on Thursday reported that an ST Electronics executive was assisting with CPIB investigations.

Additional reporting by Grace Chng

​

 

[General Veers]

CPIB probe: Friends shocked by woman's 'double life'

Published on Jan 28, 2012
By Leonard Lim & Tham Yuen-C

Friends and associates of the woman at the centre of the probe involving two top civil servants were shocked to learn that she allegedly slept with both men.

It was all the harder for them to accept as the married woman, 36, had just had a baby about a year ago.

'I was taken aback when I found out it was her, she really didn't seem like the sort,' said a source, who has had business dealings with her. 'It seems she has been leading this double life.'

Sources told The Straits Times that the two senior public servants were not aware that the woman had been intimate with both of them. Both men are married.

Those who know the woman described her as friendly, but did not think she was the flirty sort. But they said she stood out from her women colleagues because of her striking appearance. Associates described her as being tall, slim and with long, wavy hair.

She is believed to have been educated at a local polytechnic and an Australian university, and lives in a condominium in the central part of Singapore.

She is said to be working in an American multinational software company which she joined about six months ago.

She was previously a sales director at a Japanese multinational company, and it is understood that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) probe is related to her time at this firm, which provides IT storage solutions for businesses and organisations.

The woman, whose husband is a businessman, is believed to have left her previous job at about the time the CPIB investigations began.

A local IT company boss familiar with how sales are done at the woman's previous firm said that sales executives there had to meet clients often, as they were required to provide a lot of after-sales support.

'She would have had a lot of opportunities to meet her clients all the time,' he said.

Ample opportunities for interaction through her job - at dinner parties and other social events - were other ways she could make many acquaintances.

'There's also a lot of travel involved in the position, and it's normal to entertain on the job,' said an IT sales director with 15 years of experience in the industry.

Also, people in such positions are sometimes awarded special bonuses if they hit a certain annual sales target, industry sources said.

The probe involving Mr Peter Lim Sin Pang and Mr Ng Boon Gay, the former chiefs of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Central Narcotics Bureau respectively, revolves around the tender processes of IT-related products.

It is believed that six other officials from SCDF have also been questioned.

A source told The Straits Times that the woman had been spotted socialising with several of these officials.

The woman's husband, the director of a few companies, declined comment when The Straits Times contacted him on Friday.

There has been little trace of the woman online so far, with Web searches of her name throwing up a blank.

Profiles on social networking site Facebook and LinkedIn are understood to have been removed recently.

 

[General Veers]

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iKzHyStiiiMJ:sg.linkedin.com/pub/cecilia-sue/3/a41/288+Cecilia+Sue+IBM+Singapore+Pte+Ltd&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg&client=firefox-a

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...n.com/pub/cecilia-sue/3/a41/288&hl=en&strip=1

 

[General Veers]

For View attachment 3666the KNNCCB bros here...

But i edited to show face only. She is less than 1.65 and quite slim figure.

Home team probe: Mystery woman exposed?
Zenzen

<cite style="display: block; font-style: normal; font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; ">(Pic / Internet)</cite>
The woman behind the downfall of two home team chiefs may have been exposed.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is currenly investigating the former chiefs of the Singaporea Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for having an intimate relationship with a female IT procurement executive.

Netizens may have finally exposed this mystery woman, in a photo circulating on the internet.

The woman, named as Cecilia, appears to fit the description of the mystery woman, who was reported to be 36-year-old, tall, slim, vivacious, and with shoulder length hair.

The woman in the photo is also indicated as "Formerly from Hitachi and IBM, and now with Oracle".

While this appears to fit her profile as an IT executive, Oracle Singapore is one of the companies that had clarified in late January that none of its employees are involved in this case.

There is no other information provided on the depicted woman and it remains to be confirmed whether she is indeed the mystery woman in the case involving the home team chiefs.

 

[hokkien]

i thought how pretty......now i know both of the man got bad taste n colour blind. :i)

 

[General Veers]

Ex-CNB, SCDF chiefs' cases addressed in Parliament
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 14 February 2012 1541 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has stressed that any wrongdoing by public service officers will be dealt with, even if it "causes embarrassment to the government".

DPM Teo was responding to questions on Tuesday in Parliament over the recent spate of investigations involving several civil servants.

Mr Teo also said the Home Team has a reporting framework in place, which provides a confidential channel to report any wrongful behaviour of officers.

The public service has been in the spotlight recently over some high-profile cases.

Former chiefs of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Peter Lim and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) Ng Boon Gay are helping with investigations over allegations of "serious personal misconduct".

More recently, it is believed several public servants, including a former principal, are being probed for involvement in an online prostitution ring.

Mr Teo said what the cases demonstrate is there are strict rules that maintain the integrity of the public service and proper conduct of public officers.

He said: "The assessment of an individual is a very difficult thing and a person whom you may know for three years, 10 years, may have some weaknesses which are only uncovered later and which may develop later.

"The important thing in such cases is to be clear, accountable and transparent and how an organisation responds to such things defines the organisation.

"And this government has always been clear and unequivocal in dealing with such issues of integrity, honesty or wrongdoing; we come out with it in the open, we deal with it by the law, by disciplinary proceeding and we are not shy of doing so even if it causes embarrassment to the government."

Asked if the recent investigations signal a lowering of ethical standards among civil servants, Mr Teo said the government is committed to upholding high moral standards for the public service.

He said a vast majority of civil servants do live up to these standards.

On the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau's (CPIB) probe into the former SCDF and CNB chiefs, Mr Teo stressed there was no way the two high ranking civil servants would have influenced investigations.

That was because both men were immediately placed on leave the day CPIB arrested them.

He explained that even though at that point, they had not be interdicted or removed from their roles, the fact that they were on leave meant they were not able to continue with their duties and could not come back into the office.

Reiterating the timeline that led to the arrest and subsequent removal of the two men from their posts, Mr Teo again stressed there was no delay in the release of information.

He said a public announcement at the time the men were arrested would have compromised investigations.

Mr Teo said: "At that point in time, it was premature to make any announcement as CPIB was in the midst of (its) investigations and the outcome was not known.

"It was necessary to give CPIB time to gather evidence, seize documents, conduct interviews with various persons who were connected to the case and establish whether further action was warranted.

"A public announcement at that point in time would have compromised the investigations. On the day that CPIB interviewed the two officers and decided to place them under arrest, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) placed the two officers on leave on the respective dates. They were told not to return to their offices, nor to carry out any official duties.

"Their deputies acted during their period of absence on leave. As investigations were still under way, it was also premature and not fair to remove the officers from their office or to interdict them from their duties then, until the situation became clearer.

"An arrest by CPIB does not necessarily mean that the person would be prosecuted in court or referred for some disciplinary action, for example, civil service disciplinary action.

"And it is possible that after referral to the Attorney-General's Chambers, that no further action is taken. So an arrest, therefore, has no bearing on the guilt or innocence of a person."

MHA had made public the investigations after news broke in a Chinese language evening daily.

Asked if the ministry will investigate any leaks to the media, Mr Teo said that is being looked into.

Mr Teo revealed that in the past five years, there were 59 cases of improper conduct reported for uniformed officers.

Wrongful practices reported included failure to comply with procedures, improper conduct or unethical behaviour.

Of the cases reported, 44 were reported anonymously. Of the 15 which were not anonymous, eight were against a superior officer.

Mr Teo said there are multiple channels for civil servants to raise irregularities in the public service.

"Apart from making such reports internally within their own departments or agencies, officers can escalate cases of misconduct to their Permanent Secretary or the Head of Civil Service," he said.

"In addition, they can also report wrongdoing to the Public Service Commission, which is an independent body set up under the Singapore Constitution, vested with the authority to exercise disciplinary control over civil servants.

"Corruption cases may be raised with CPIB. Where there is sufficient basis and information provided, the complaints will be looked into.

"I should add that we should encourage responsible reporting and discourage malicious or frivolous allegations.

"Those who make reports are expected to identify themselves. If a report is made in bad faith or for personal gain, disciplinary action may be taken against the officer making the false report.

- CNA/wk

 

[Klytus]

Former SCDF chief charged with corruption
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 06 June 2012 0949 hrs

Mr Peter Lim (Photo: TODAY)

SINGAPORE: Former Singapore Civil Defence Force chief Peter Lim Sin Pang has been charged with 10 counts of corruption.

He allegedly obtained sexual gratification from three women between May 2010 and November 2011.

From a hotel in Paris, to car parks in various parts of Singapore, and apartments in Clementi and Tanjong Rhu.

These were where Lim allegedly had sex with three women - two vendors and a potential vendor.

Lim allegedly had oral sex from Lee Wei Hoon, a director of Singapore Radiation Centre and Pang Chor Mui, a general manager at Nimrod Engineering.

The 52-year-old man is also accused of having sex on seven occasions with Esther Goh Tok Mui, a business development director at NCS Private Limited.

In return, Lim would show favour to the companies where the women are working at, for IT-related tenders called by the SCDF.

Lim, who's married, was arrested by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in January this year and removed from his post in the same month.

He is now out on a S$10,000 bail.

His passport has also been surrendered to the CPIB.

Dressed in a blue long-sleeved shirt, Lim arrived at the Subordinate Courts in a black car.

He appeared worried as the charges were read out in court, and declined comment when approached by the media.

A couple, who accompanied Lim as he walked out of court, told MediaCorp that they were there to give Lim moral support.

Lim will be back in court on July 5.

If convicted, he could be jailed up to five years and fined S$100,000 for each charge.

- CNA/cc

 

[Tualan]

A couple, who accompanied Lim as he walked out of court, told MediaCorp that they were there to give Lim moral support.

No morale value so must give moral support.