Spore's public services officers under scrutiny for corruption
Play
Although only a few of Singapore's public officers have been prosecuted for corruption and other financial crimes, the country's public service department said that it could not afford to be complacent.
This is because public officers are in a position of trust and authority, said civil service head Peter Ong in an email sent to the entire service Friday.
“We owe it to our fellow Singaporeans to carefully guard their trust in us and the public service,” he said. “Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and a long time to repair.”
Ong's comments come after a spate of high-profile cases involving errant public officers, which he said raised questions over the integrity of the public service.
The latest case involves Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) officer Edwin Yeo, who was charged in court last week with allegedly siphoning funds from the agency and other related offences.
The study Ong referred to was commissioned by the prime minister’s office to examine cases involving public officers opened by the CPIB and the police commercial affairs department.
It had found that the number of cases against errant officers has remained low and fairly stable over a five-year period.
The CPIB, for instance, conducts an average of 39 investigations involving public officers each year. These make up about one in five of all graft cases.
“I am reassured by these findings as they show that our system as a whole remains sound. But we cannot be complacent. Every case is one too many,” Ong commented.
He added that the Public Service has “zero tolerance for corruption” and said its leaders must lead by example and ensure that their actions are beyond reproach.
“The fact that senior officers have been charged in court for corruption and other financial crimes is a matter of concern. But it also underscores our deep resolve and commitment to bring all wrongdoers to justice and uphold integrity in the public service at all levels," he said. “We will not hesitate to take action against a corrupt officer, no matter how senior he or she might be."
Member of Parliament Hri Kumar Nair, chairman of the government parliamentary committee for Home Affairs and Law, agreed. “People don’t expect perfection from public officers, but when they fall, then firm and decisive action needs to be taken,” he said. “The public service needs to uphold its integrity, and public officers are expected to conduct themselves at a higher standard than others.”
