Ongoing Review of Prevention of Corruption Act 1960

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Prime Minister whether he can provide an update on the ongoing review of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960 that was announced by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in 2018.

The Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) is a key instrument in our fight against corruption. We must ensure that PCA remains effective to combat and deter corruption and that it enables us to fulfil our international obligations. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), in close consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), has reviewed PCA in this spirit. We would like to thank Members of the House for their suggestions relating to the review, which included those relating to corporate liability for corruption offences. CPIB took these suggestions into consideration in the review.

The review has concluded that PCA, as it stands, provides effective deterrence and adequately empowers CPIB to carry out its duties. There is, therefore, no need to amend or enhance the existing provisions. Besides providing for tough enforcement action against corrupt individuals, PCA offers sufficient basis for the prosecution of corporate bodies in Court if the facts of the case call for it. This extends to instances where corporate entities are found to be complicit in the corrupt conduct of their employees. CPIB has successfully taken corporate bodies to task in the past and will not hesitate to do so.

The Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act complements PCA by enabling the disgorgement of benefits obtained by a corporate body through the giving of bribes. Our legislative framework is, therefore, sufficiently robust to ensure that errant corporate bodies will have to bear the full brunt of the law and will not be able to enjoy any ill-gotten gains through corrupt means.

A robust anti-corruption framework goes beyond legislative instruments. The last Public Perception Survey conducted in 2020 cited strong political determination, along with effective anti-corruption law and heavy punishment, as the top three factors behind the low incidence of corruption in Singapore. Constant vigilance and a zero-tolerance attitude against corruption on the part of every Singaporean are also critical.

The corruption situation in Singapore is firmly under control and we are well-regarded internationally for our anti-corruption efforts. However, there is no room for complacency as the corruption threat is persistent and ever evolving. CPIB understands this very well. It will spare no effort not just in carrying out its work without fear or favour, but also in improving its capabilities to stay ahead of the corrupt. We must continue to support CPIB and do our part to keep corruption at bay.