Corruption in Singapore
Singapore was hailed as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Thanks to the strict implementation of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).
What are corruption offences?
It includes corruptly receiving and corruptly giving gratification such as money or its equivalent, employment, service, loan or any favour or advantage. Such gratification is used as an inducement or reward for someone who is-
1. Performing a transaction
2. Withholding performance of a transaction
The PCA covers the actions of public servants and their agents, or those who act on behalf of public servants or others.
Here are examples of Corrupt practices in Singapore
Cheating and money laundering: A former government official was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for using false invoices. A non-government official who set up businesses to make it appear that these are providing goods and IT maintenance services to the government agency was also jailed for 10 years for conspiracy.
Irregularities in procurement of goods: An assistant director of a government body was fined $5000 for not disclosing to the auditors his relationship with the bicycle firm. Such firm was the one that won the bidding for the purchase of the bikes used by the said body for its operations.
There were also issues in the procurement process.
Misappropriation: A former assistant director of an anti-graft agency was suspected of misappropriating over a million dollars from the said agency. He was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for forgery, gambling using ill-gotten money, misappropriating funds and criminal breach of trust.
Cheating: A former government official was sentenced to 15 years in jail for making false claims that the agency he works for gave worth $89,000 worth of pineapple tarts and wine as give-aways for foreign diplomats.
Bribery: A government official was charged with 55 counts of corruption offence for accepting bribes for the contracts and deal in the town council. He was the general manager of the said government agency at that time.
Violation of the Official Secrets Act: A public servant leaked tender quotations belonging to a government agency he works for, to secure contracts for the companies that his wife set up. As a result, over a million dollars’ worth of contract was issued to those companies.
The PCA provides that those who violate the corruption act shall pay a fine of not more than $100,000 or to a jail term of 5 years or below, or both. But, the penalty is higher if the offenders are members of a parliament, a public servant or if the case involves the Public Service.
Disclaimer: The article can not be in any way considered as legal advice or an opinion on the topic which has been discussed and one should not rely on it. In no way, it should be taken as the statement of law and practice in this area. If you need any legal advice you should consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction. None of the members. partner or consultant who is a part of Bishop Law assumes or holds any responsibility or liability, to any person in respect of the content shared above.
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