Governance & integrity — Topics

12 Aug 2013

Trust in Public Institutions and Agencies

The government reaffirmed its commitment to integrity in the public service, highlighting existing systems like financial controls, regular declarations of officers' financial standings, and specific vetting for enforcement agencies, while noting ongoing reviews to strengthen these measures.
The Public Service Division (PSD) is tightening rules for public officers visiting casinos, including requiring frequent visitors to declare their trips, and has expanded credit bureau screening for high-risk roles following recent cases.
An internal disclosure policy since 2011 received 81 reports, with 86% leading to investigations and 50% resulting in disciplinary action, and the government will enhance awareness of reporting channels for officers.
Disciplinary actions range from warnings to dismissal, with formal warnings impacting performance-based pay and promotion prospects, and accountability extends up the command chain, as seen in the case of CPIB directors who received warnings for supervisory lapses.
Oversight is provided by independent bodies like the Public Service Commission and constitutional safeguards, such as the President's powers, with no plan for an additional independent ombudsman, though regular vetting and declarations for officers are maintained.

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9 Jul 2013

Investigations into Claims of Police Brutality for Bus Drivers on Strike

The Police Internal Affairs Office and the Attorney-General's Chambers completed an investigation into claims by former SMRT bus drivers He Jun Ling and Liu Xiangying that they were abused by Police during investigations related to their involvement in an illegal strike, and found the allegations to be baseless.
The drivers' allegations were made in online video clips months after their arrest and release, despite numerous prior opportunities to report abuse, including during medical examinations, court appearances, and bail; they later retracted their statements during the investigation.
The investigation involved interviews with 10 people, including six Police officers, and concluded the allegations were not substantiated, a finding endorsed by the Attorney-General's Chambers.
The government emphasized that it takes allegations of police abuse seriously and investigates them thoroughly, but will also defend officers against baseless and false accusations that undermine public trust.

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9 Jul 2013

Town Councils' Role in Cleanliness of Hawker Centres

The Town Councils are legally responsible for maintaining and cleaning hawker centres, including high areas, with costs covered by service charges and no extra fees for hawkers, as per NEA’s quarterly spring-cleaning directive.
A dispute arose over whether Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) improperly sought extra payment from hawkers for high-area cleaning, with the Minister alleging its property manager denied responsibility and demanded additional charges, while AHPETC leaders denied this.
The Minister presented meeting notes and a contractor quotation as evidence of AHPETC’s mismanagement, while AHPETC argued the issue stemmed from confusion between annual high-area cleaning and quarterly spring-cleaning, with no extra charges requested.
The debate highlighted concerns about transparency and accountability, with the Minister urging AHPETC to investigate and correct its actions, while AHPETC maintained its staff acted within contractual obligations.
Both sides agreed Town Councils must ensure hawker centre cleanliness, but the core disagreement centered on interpreting responsibilities and the evidence of alleged misconduct.

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8 Jul 2013

Alleged Retention of Film Maker's Materials in Connection with Police Investigations

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked whether Singapore Police Force officers attempted to retain or confiscate a film maker's laptop, desktop computer, and mobile phone in connection with investigations into alleged police brutality by former SMRT drivers, and if so, whether this complied with legal procedures.
Minister K Shanmugam explained that police investigated the serious allegations of brutality, which could affect the voluntary nature of confessions in ongoing criminal proceedings, and used their powers under the Criminal Procedure Code to secure relevant evidence, including the film maker's equipment.
The police sought the film maker's cooperation to examine her external hard drive, laptop, and mobile phone to verify video authenticity, but did not seize the items; the hard drive was returned after investigations, which found the allegations unsubstantiated and later retracted by the drivers.
The Minister emphasized that publicly posting allegations during ongoing trials interferes with the administration of justice, as all such claims should be raised in court to ensure fair hearings.

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13 May 2013

Town Councils

Khaw Boon Wan defended the fairness of MND’s project allocation to Town Councils, highlighting that all wards receive upgrading benefits, and emphasized the need for cooperation and politicisation-free implementation, while clarifying that the AIM review found no misuse of public funds.
Sylvia Lim contested Khaw’s interpretation of events, clarifying FMSS’s establishment was due to market constraints, disputing the comparison with AIM, and questioning the reasonableness of a one-month termination clause for critical IT systems.
Pritam Singh proposed stricter transparency rules, suggesting political parties and their affiliates be barred from Town Council contracts, and raised concerns about PAP-linked companies, prompting calls for clearer disclosure in the upcoming strategic review.

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13 May 2013

Town Councils

The Minister for National Development delivered a statement on the MND review of the 2010 AIM transaction involving PAP Town Councils, concluding that it complied with the Town Councils Act, found no misuse of public funds, and highlighted the political nature of Town Councils while calling for a strategic review of the framework.
PAP Town Council representatives defended the AIM transaction as a legitimate, resident-focused decision made in good faith to address obsolete software, emphasizing joint efforts to achieve economies of scale and improve services, and proposed clearer handover rules to minimize disruptions.
Workers' Party members criticized the AIM transaction as politically motivated, arguing it jeopardized public interest through a one-sided termination clause and wastage of public funds, and called for restrictions on selling critical assets and stronger safeguards for non-PAP Town Councils.
Other MPs shared experiences on Town Council handovers, noting challenges and the need for better transition protocols, and suggested improvements such as enhancing corporate governance, defining clearer roles between Town Councils and HDB, and exploring new models to balance political accountability with service continuity.

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13 May 2013

Tote Board's $400-million Donation to Gardens by the Bay

Mrs Lina Chiam questioned why the Tote Board donated $400 million to Gardens by the Bay, which charges admission fees, instead of to social services, and asked about the publication of donation details.
The Minister of State for Finance explained that Tote Board's mandate includes supporting cultural and community projects, clarified that the donation was for development costs only, and noted that nearly half of its donations go to social services, with annual reports tabled in Parliament and available online.
Mrs Chiam asked if admission fees from the conservatories would cover maintenance costs, and the Minister responded that the conservatories aim to fully recover operating costs through fees and attendance, with adjustments based on visitor numbers over time.

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13 Mar 2013

GIC's Report on the Management of the Government's Portfolio for the Year 2011/12

Mrs Lina Chiam questioned why GIC omitted annualised nominal rates of return in Singapore dollars from its 2011/12 report, noting they were previously provided in both US and Singapore dollar terms.
The Minister for Finance, via Mrs Josephine Teo, explained that GIC’s primary performance metric is the long-term real rate of return, which reflects its mandate to preserve and enhance overseas purchasing power over time.
GIC stopped publishing nominal returns in Singapore dollars three years prior to facilitate clearer comparisons with global investment funds, as using US dollars for nominal returns avoids confusion when benchmarking against international market indices.
The report now provides more detailed performance data, including 5-year and 10-year returns and comparisons with standard global market portfolios, while focusing on indicators that align with GIC’s investment mandate.
The Minister emphasized that real returns, not nominal returns, are the key measure of GIC’s performance, as currency effects cancel out when calculating returns relative to global inflation.

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12 Mar 2013

Investigations into Purchase of Bicycles by NParks

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Prime Minister about the status of CPIB investigations into NParks' purchase of 26 Brompton bicycles and when the outcome would be disclosed.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean stated that CPIB investigated possible corruption indications based on internal audit findings, submitted the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers, conducted further investigations, and forwarded it to the Public Prosecutor for assessment.
The case is currently under assessment by the Public Prosecutor, and no comments on the outcome can be made at this time.

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8 Mar 2013

Breaches of Rules and Regulations Governing Outdoor Rallies in the 2011 Presidential Election and 2013 Punggol East By-election

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about breaches of outdoor rally rules in the 2011 Presidential Election and the 2013 Punggol East by-election.
Teo Chee Hean stated there was only one breach in the 2011 Presidential Election, where a rally ended shortly after the permitted time, resulting in a verbal warning to the election agent.
No breaches were detected during the 2013 Punggol East by-election.
Police will continue to refine rules and penalties to ensure strict adherence to permit conditions.

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25 Feb 2013

Investigations into Bus Drivers' Claims of Police Brutality

Yee Jenn Jong questioned the legality of police officers' attempted seizure of a filmmaker's devices, asking if it followed the Criminal Procedure Code and what the legal basis was.
Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah stated that while the brutality allegations were under investigation, the drivers planned to plead guilty and a full account would be given after proceedings concluded.
Yee pressed that the concern was about the investigation process, noting officers seemed unable to cite specific legal grounds when challenged.
Indranee reiterated that answering while investigations were ongoing could hinder the process, and urged deferring the question until after proceedings to provide a complete response.

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6 Feb 2013

Appointment of Former Cabinet Minister to Hong Kong Economic Development Commission

Mrs Lina Chiam questioned whether appointing former Cabinet Minister George Yeo to Hong Kong's Economic Development Commission could jeopardize Singapore's strategic interests or violate the Official Secrets Act due to his access to classified information.
Senior Minister of State Masagos Zulkifli affirmed that Mr Yeo is a man of integrity and patriotism, his appointment is routine for tapping expertise, and it strengthens Singapore-Hong Kong-China relations without conflict or legal violation.
In response to follow-up questions, the government stated it does not currently plan to restrict former ministers from serving competing nations and relies on the Official Secrets Act to address any potential issues.

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4 Feb 2013

Medical Screenings of Foreign Workers

Dr. Lam Pin Min inquired about the Ministry of Health’s investigation into two clinics that screen foreign workers and the measures to ensure these screenings are conducted properly.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed that the Ministry is investigating the two clinics for potential breaches of the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act after a complaint that workers were certified fit without physical examinations.
The investigation is ongoing, and regulatory actions may be taken against the clinics and doctors if breaches are found, with the Singapore Medical Council also empowered to act.
The Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Manpower to review and improve the medical screening process for foreign workers.

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4 Feb 2013

Disciplinary Cases Involving Doctors

The Ministry of Health has appointed a Review Committee to evaluate and improve the disciplinary processes for doctors, with the review expected to be completed in six months, and the Director of Medical Services has communicated with doctors to clarify SMC processes.
The Singapore Medical Council elections see 15–20% of doctors casting null votes, and the disciplinary framework under the MRA includes independent bodies and appeals to protect public safety and maintain trust, with ongoing efforts to refine these processes.
Minister Gan Kim Yong emphasized the balance between internal self-regulation and external oversight, noting that recent MRA amendments introduced external parties into disciplinary processes, and the Review Committee will assess implementation and further enhance trust.

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14 Jan 2013

Tisch School of The Arts Asia

Mrs Lina Chiam questioned the EDB on the failure of education projects like Tisch School of the Arts Asia, the amount of public money spent on such projects, and the lack of transparency regarding the EDB-NYU contract for Tisch Asia.
Minister Lim Hng Kiang explained that while the broader Global Schoolhouse initiative has successfully attracted renowned foreign universities and boosted Singapore's education brand, specific projects like Tisch Asia faced financial unsustainability due to factors like currency appreciation and high costs.
EDB provided S$11.68 million in loans and S$5.3 million in grants to Tisch Asia, which was established in 2007 but closed due to revenue shortfalls and cost overruns, despite NYU's subsidies and efforts to find sustainable options.
For the University of New South Wales Asia, EDB had provided S$15 million in loans and S$17.5 million in grants, as previously reported in Parliament.
The government is focused on minimizing disruption to affected students, with Tisch Asia remaining open until 2015 to teach out existing students, while EDB discusses loan repayment details with NYU.

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14 Jan 2013

Election of Speaker

Parliament congratulated Halimah Yacob on her historic election as the first female Speaker, praising her extensive experience as a union leader, MP, and Minister of State, and expressing confidence in her ability to preside impartially over debates on national challenges like aging populations and economic competition.
Members acknowledged the resignation of former Speaker Michael Palmer due to an improper relationship, commending his service while emphasizing the need for MPs to uphold high ethical standards, and extended wishes for his personal recovery.
Speakers from both sides of the House expressed strong support for Halimah Yacob, highlighting her advocacy for workers, women, and vulnerable groups, and her role in breaking the glass ceiling, while pledging to maintain decorum and focus on key issues like the Population White Paper and Budget.

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14 Nov 2012

Curbs on Media during Hougang By-election Campaign in May 2012

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene questioned if the Government controlled or influenced the media during the Hougang by-election campaign in May 2012.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim responded that the media must exercise professional integrity and provide fair, objective, and credible coverage to retain public trust, especially amid diverse online information sources.
He cited a 2012 Edelman Trust Barometer showing 65% trust in Singapore’s media among the informed public, higher than in the US, UK, and Australia.
The Minister emphasized that Singapore’s mainstream media have performed well and must maintain credibility and fairness to stay relevant in a competitive media environment.

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14 Nov 2012

Recurrent Funds Disbursed to Non-profit Childcare Anchor Operators

Mr Yee Jenn Jong questioned the amount, determination, and KPIs for recurrent grants to non-profit childcare anchor operators, and whether they must report on grant usage and KPI performance.
Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that since 2009, $69 million has been disbursed based on centres built, manpower, and performance, with operators required to submit regular reports and meet quality and affordability targets.
Yee highlighted low SPARK accreditation rates—far below the 2013 target—and asked if this indicates unmet quality standards and whether grant disbursement should be more directly linked to objectives like staff retention.
Chan responded that efforts are made to help centres meet SPARK standards and that funding is withheld from those failing to meet requirements.

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12 Nov 2012

Review of ASEAN Scholarship Criteria

Member Lim Biow Chuan asked if MOE will review ASEAN scholarship criteria to award only undergraduate scholarships and include school principal character assessments, citing a case of an ASEAN scholar’s inappropriate conduct.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat affirmed the scholarship’s role in fostering regional ties, explained that selections already consider academic, non-academic, and character factors, and noted NUS handles disciplinary matters with confidentiality under its statutes.
Members questioned how MOE ensures scholars’ conduct, with follow-ups on probation, termination for misconduct, and transparency in disciplinary actions, while the Minister stated NUS’s processes are respected and are case-specific.
MP Yee Jenn Jong inquired about scholarship termination circumstances and MOE’s authority to recover funds, with the Minister noting termination occurs for failure to meet renewal criteria or misconduct, with a formal answer to follow.
MP Pritam Singh raised concerns about inconsistent disclosure of disciplinary actions by NUS, to which the Minister explained that each case is handled differently to protect procedural integrity, with internal warnings issued where appropriate.

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12 Nov 2012

Approval for Use of Community Space

Mrs Lina Chiam inquired about the roles of Town Councils and MPs in approving the use of community spaces like void decks by Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), questioning the process and recent changes in Potong Pasir.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary clarified that HDB allocates void deck spaces to VWOs based on need, with input from the supervising Ministry, Town Council, and Constituency Office, ensuring alignment with community plans.
Mrs Lina Chiam expressed concerns about resident consultation and transparency, emphasizing that residents should be informed and engaged when void decks are allocated to VWOs.
The response assured that the process is not unique to Potong Pasir and involves engagement, but decisions may prioritize the larger community's needs, such as elderly care services.
Sitoh Yih Pin noted that the VWO had been operating in Potong Pasir for 10 years prior, countering the suggestion that it was a recent change.

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