Singapore - PM Lee says government won't tolerate corruption

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said the government will never tolerate corruption and will not accept any slackening in the public service.

Speaking at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau's (CPIB's) 60th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, Mr Lee stressed that it is far better to suffer embarrassment and keep the system clean than to pretend that nothing has gone wrong and let the rot spread.

He noted that some officers have not lived up to the high standards which the civil service and the people of Singapore expect of public servants. However, he is confident that these lapses are not typical of the public service.

Mr Lee said the government is reviewing and tightening the system to maintain its high standards of honesty. They include stricter procurement rules, reviewing approving authorities and spending limits.

However, he cautioned that there must be a balance between having more safeguards and burdening the system with too many checks. He said no system can completely stop a determined cheat.

The prime minister added that overall, corruption in Singapore is well under control, due largely to the CPIB's relentless efforts.

He noted that the number of complaints and cases registered had steadily decreased in recent years. The number of cases taken to court has also fallen.

Mr Lee said cases involving the government form only a small proportion of total cases and are not increasing.

He added that the CPIB has been able to do its work because it belongs to a larger political and government system which emphasises integrity and incorruptibility.

Mr Lee also thanked former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong for their leadership in building a clean and incorrupt Singapore.

- CNA/al

Business & Investment Opportunities 
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. Since we are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, you may contact us at: sbc.pte@gmail.com, provisionally. Many thanks.