Governance & integrity — Topics

7 Feb 2023

Updates on Recommendations in Committee of Privileges' Report Presented to Parliament on 10 February 2022

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim requested an update on the Attorney-General's investigations or decisions following the Committee of Privileges' report presented on 10 February 2022.
K Shanmugam stated that Parliament referred the conduct of Mr Pritam Singh and Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap to the Public Prosecutor after the report.
The Public Prosecutor has referred the matter to the Police for ongoing investigations.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Case of Man Awarded $20,000 for being Wrongly Imprisoned in 2017

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked about lapses in a wrongful imprisonment case, why it took so long, actions taken against officers, and preventive measures, to which Minister K Shanmugam responded that the case is under review and may be appealed due to concerns about the court's impact on police powers under the Mental Health Act.
The Minister emphasized that Singapore's high safety levels stem from public trust in the police, supported by checks like body cameras, independent reviews, and court prosecutions, with 78 officers facing disciplinary proceedings annually and about 10 charged criminally over the past three years.
He cautioned against unfair scrutiny of police actions, as it could lead to defensive policing and erode public trust, while affirming that officers are given latitude to make decisions in good faith in dynamic environments.
Regarding the specific case, the Minister noted the court's findings that the detainee's behavior did not qualify as mental disorder symptoms and that an officer may have made up observations, which the police dispute, and that AGC is advising on whether to appeal.
The government is studying the court's legal comments on the Mental Health Act to determine if an appeal or legislative changes are needed, ensuring police powers align with policy intent and public safety.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Estimated Timeline to Complete Review and Checks on COVID-19-related Procurement and Expenditure

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that agencies have been conducting internal audits on COVID-19 spending since early 2022, focusing on the effectiveness of controls and the validity of payments, with findings reported to senior management and audit committees.
He noted that the $72.3 billion in COVID-19 expenditure included a wide range of health and support measures, with over half already audited and the remaining audits expected to be completed by the end of Financial Year 2024.
The timeline for completing the review and following up with agencies on rectifications and recovery of erroneous payments is aligned with the audit schedule, targeting completion by the end of Financial Year 2024.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Cases of Singapore Companies Convicted of Corruption Overseas and Prosecuted in Singapore

Hazel Poa inquired about the number of Singapore companies convicted of corruption overseas since 1965 and how many were prosecuted in Singapore.
Indranee Rajah, speaking for the Prime Minister, indicated that the question had already been addressed in a prior reply from February 2023.
The prior reply referred to findings from the Keppel Offshore & Marine corruption probe, as documented in the Official Report.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Naming of Keppel Offshore & Marine Staff Given Stern Warning over Probe into Petroleo Brasileiro Bribery Case

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned whether it is in the public interest to disclose the names of six former KOM management staff given stern warnings for their roles in a S$73 million bribery case, despite standard practice of not naming individuals who receive stern warnings.
He also asked how the CPIB decided to issue stern warnings given the scale of the bribes and KOM’s US$422 million fine, and requested a detailed account of the facts behind the bribe payments.
Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about CPIB’s overseas investigative efforts since December 2017 and why the six former senior management staff were not named, seeking their ages and nationalities.
Indranee Rajah, speaking for the Prime Minister, stated that the questions had been addressed in a previous official reply from 6 February 2023.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Publication of Audit Findings into SPH Media Trust's Inflated Circulation Numbers

MP Hazel Poa asked whether an external investigation into SPH Media Trust’s inflated circulation numbers would be conducted and its report made public, and whether the Ministry would share the Trust’s review details and reasons for delayed disclosure.
Minister Josephine Teo responded that the circulation discrepancies did not affect public funds, government funding for SPH Media Trust remains unchanged and focused on capability development, and further questions should await the Trust’s own audit committee findings.
The Minister emphasized that SPH Media Trust must uphold public trust, rectify issues, be transparent about its plans, and refer any evidence of wrongdoing to relevant authorities.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Reviewing Police's Operating Procedures to Minimise Occurrences of Wrongful Arrest

The Minister noted that the High Court's ruling in the Mah Kiat Seng case raises concerns about police procedures under the Mental Health Act, with the government considering an appeal and potential legal changes to protect officers' discretion.
The Minister emphasized that Singapore maintains high public trust in the police due to existing checks like body-worn cameras, independent reviews, and disciplinary actions, while cautioning against critiques that could lead to defensive policing.
In response to queries, the Minister clarified that patrol officers use body-worn cameras and that police officers charged with criminal offenses face the same legal consequences as civilians, regardless of context.
The Minister highlighted that police work with IMH in mental disorder cases, but interventions are limited to imminent danger, and affected individuals can seek court protection orders if violence is not immediate.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2023

Due Diligence on Carbon Credits Issued by Gold Standard and Verra

Mr Chua questioned whether due diligence was done on Gold Standard and Verra carbon credits before MOUs were signed, what the findings were, and whether the MOUs would continue given recent claims about Verra's "phantom" credits.
Minister Grace Fu explained the MOUs are non-binding and aim to help Singapore companies use high-quality international carbon credits to offset up to 5% of taxable emissions from 2024, with Gold Standard and Verra selected due to their CORSIA acceptance.
The government is aware of media reports questioning Verra's credits and will finalize environmental integrity criteria later this year, publishing a whitelist of acceptable carbon credit programs and host countries.
In follow-up, Mr Chua asked how the Ministry will verify credit authenticity and ensure companies buy legitimate credits, to which the Minister responded that the government will set standards via the whitelist, but companies must ultimately assess methodologies themselves.
The Minister emphasized that the carbon credit market is broad and companies should follow government guidance while exercising their own due diligence in selecting and using credits.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Audit of Singapore Press Holdings' Financial Statements and Circulation Numbers

Leong Mun Wai asked whether the government independently audited Singapore Press Holdings’ financial statements and circulation data before granting public funding and why not if it did not.
Leong also asked which newspaper titles had inflated circulation numbers, if an external forensic audit would be conducted beyond the September 2020 to March 2022 review, and which other periods would be examined.
Josephine Teo referred the questions to the government’s official response dated 6 February 2023, which addressed queries on SPH Media Trust’s inflated circulation numbers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Outcome of White-collar Crime Cases Involving $4.49 billion Investigated by Police from 2017 to 2021

Murali Pillai asked about the financial outcome of 18,700 white-collar crime cases investigated from 2017 to 2021, specifically the total value of assets recovered and the amount returned to victims.
The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated that the Police do not track the cumulative dollar value of assets recovered.
The Minister also confirmed that the Police do not track the amount of recovered assets that have been returned to victims.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Keppel Offshore & Marine Corruption Probe and Singapore Companies Investigated for Corruption in Foreign Jurisdictions

Members of Parliament asked about the number of Singapore companies investigated and found guilty under foreign anti-corruption laws over the last five years, the rationale behind issuing stern warnings instead of prosecuting former Keppel Offshore & Marine staff involved in bribe payments, and whether examples of similar cases exist for comparison.
The Prime Minister’s representative indicated that all queries had been addressed in a prior parliamentary reply dated 6 February 2023, referencing an official report on the findings from the Keppel Offshore & Marine corruption probe.
The debate highlighted concerns over transparency in cross-border corruption enforcement and the consistency of punitive measures for Singapore companies and individuals implicated in overseas corruption cases.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Auditing Government's COVID-19 Spending for Financial Years 2020 and 2021

Yip Hon Weng asked whether the Ministry has audited the $72.3 billion in COVID-19 spending for FY2020–2021, when findings will be released, and if the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) will be engaged.
Lawrence Wong stated that AGO has audited selected COVID-19 spending at three agencies, with ongoing audits covering additional schemes, totaling $32.3 billion, and may audit more areas using a risk-based approach.
Agencies have conducted internal audits since early 2022, reporting findings to senior management and oversight bodies, while over half of the $72.3 billion COVID-19 expenditure has been audited, with remaining audits expected to finish by end-FY2024.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, presented the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act 1954 and make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading after the conclusion of proceedings on the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2023/2024.
The bill aims to update and refine election laws to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Findings from Keppel Offshore & Marine Corruption Probe

The Attorney-General's Chambers and CPIB decided to issue stern warnings to six former Keppel Offshore & Marine executives instead of prosecuting them due to insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, citing complex transnational investigations, key witnesses outside Singapore, and the inadequacy of foreign documents like the US Deferred Prosecution Agreement for local court standards.
The Government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, emphasizing that the decision aligns with the rule of law and that stern warnings serve as a marker when evidence falls short of prosecution thresholds, with the possibility of revisiting the case if new evidence emerges.
Multiple parliamentary questions raised concerns about reputation damage, potential cronyism, and the effectiveness of cross-border enforcement, with the Minister explaining that Singapore cannot unilaterally investigate abroad and that companies must uphold clean practices overseas, while acknowledging the need for continuous improvement in corporate governance and international cooperation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2023

Government's Response to SPH Media Trust's Inflated Circulation Numbers

The Minister confirmed that SPH Media Trust's internal review found overstated circulation figures for 2020-2022, but no public funds have been disbursed yet and the inflation occurred before the government's funding relationship with SMT began.
The government's review concluded that the reasons for providing funding to SMT—supporting its digital transformation, preserving vernacular media, and ensuring trusted local journalism—remain valid, so the planned $180 million annual funding for five years will proceed unchanged.
Accountability measures include SMT's ongoing investigation by its Audit and Risk Committee, with future government funding contingent on KPIs related to readership and reach rather than circulation figures, and independent audits will be required.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

Funding to Persons Providing Commentary on Social Media Platforms in Support of Government Policies

Leong Mun Wai asked if the Government or its entities fund foreign persons to provide commentary on social media to support Government policies or Singapore.
The Ministry of Communications and Information stated it does not track spending on paid advertising based on nationality.
The Government does not pay foreign individuals to publish commentaries in support of Government policies or Singapore, except for the Singapore Tourism Board promoting tourism.
The use of foreign individuals for such commentary is not part of the Government's standard communications and engagement strategy.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2023

SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (Amendment) Bill

Members supported the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (Amendment) Bill to strengthen regulatory powers against fraud and abuse, but raised concerns about the qualifications and safeguards for appointed inspectors, the narrow definition of "advertisement," and the need to address unscrupulous marketing agents.
Several MPs highlighted the low participation rate in SkillsFuture (only 30% of eligible citizens, with lower uptake among older workers) and called for measures to boost engagement, improve training quality, simplify access to information, and ensure accountability in funding and enforcement.
The Minister of State clarified that the amendments aim to protect public funds and learner interests, outlined safeguards for inspectors’ powers, and noted ongoing efforts to improve fraud detection, communication with training providers, and resource allocation for effective implementation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Median Starting Salary of Foreign Graduates from Local Universities and Polytechnics who Entered Workforce

Hazel Poa requested data on the number and percentage of foreign graduates from local universities and polytechnics entering Singapore's workforce over the past 20 years, along with the median starting salary for both foreign and local graduates.
Chan Chun Sing responded that international students make up about 10% of students in local higher education institutions and that their employment outcomes and wages are comparable to those of local students.
The debate centered on the need for transparency regarding the employment and salary statistics of foreign versus local graduates from Singapore's educational institutions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Audits for Government E-transactions

The Auditor-General's Office (AGO) has enhanced its data analytics capabilities to review large volumes of financial data and audit IT system controls for accurate processing of electronic transactions.
AGO uses a risk-based approach to select agencies and areas for audit each year, including electronic transactions such as e-invoices, payments to suppliers, and public fees.
Key findings from AGO's audits are highlighted in its annual report to provide accountability and assurance to the public.
The Minister confirmed that AGO’s audit focus includes government e-transactions with residents and businesses, ensuring their accuracy and proper recording.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2023

Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3

Mr Leong Mun Wai argued that the Ang Mo Kio SERS is unprecedented because residents must top up cash for an equivalent replacement flat with a new 99-year lease, unlike past exercises where compensation covered the cost, which he claims undermines the viability of the future Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) and indicates a lack of transparency and compassion from the Government.
Senior Minister of State Sim Ann countered that SERS compensation has never been pegged to the price of a new flat with a full 99-year lease but is based on independent market valuation, and that the Ang Mo Kio outcome is consistent with past principles despite older leases, with 99% of residents not needing to top up if choosing options like the 50-year lease.
Ms Sim rejected the characterisation of unfairness, emphasising that VERS has not been announced yet but will not be as generous as SERS, and accused Mr Leong of blurring market expectations with policy commitments and shaping ungrounded expectations about VERS.
Mr Leong reiterated that past SERS exercises created an expectation of receiving a replacement flat without cash top-ups, and asked whether the Government still considers the Ang Mo Kio package different and if VERS compensation would be unattractive if analogous to Ang Mo Kio, to which Ms Sim affirmed the Government’s consistent and transparent communication on SERS and diminishing leases.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source