Debated in Parliament on 20 Jan 2015.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) since the launch of their "Fox Hunt" campaign in July 2014, whether the Chinese government has requested Singapore to assist in the extradition of Chinese nationals who are suspected of corruption and the return of ill-gotten gains seized; and (b) if so, how many cases are there.
It is our policy, in line with international practice, not to comment on whether a foreign government has made a request for legal assistance on specific cases, whether for international criminal cooperation or extradition matters.
China has stepped up its anti-corruption efforts. Its President and top leadership have expressed their determination to combat corruption wherever it may occur. While fighting corruption is a long-term challenge, its success in this area will be a tremendous boost to its development and stability. China’s anti-corruption efforts have been welcomed by foreign investors.
In Singapore, anti-corruption is equally important to us. We maintain a firm and principled stance against corruption and other financial crimes. Singapore is a responsible and effective member of the wider international cooperation network in combatting transnational crime. For example, amendments to the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (MACMA) were passed by Parliament in July 2014 to enhance mutual legal assistance and facilitate greater international cooperation against transnational crime. Singapore also proactively shares our experiences with other countries at various fora, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)'s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts’ Working Group.
Should foreign countries, such as China, require our assistance, including in the area of asset recovery, Singapore is prepared to study the merits of the specific request. We will continue to cooperate closely with all our partners on this front, in accordance with our domestic laws and international obligations.
PAPERCUTS