Governance & integrity

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised questions about the disclosure requirements for political parties or candidates paying digital content creators for posts related to election campaigns. Chan Chun Sing clarified that under the Online Election Advertising legislation, only authorized parties can publish paid content, and all payments related to election expenses must be declared by candidates and their agents, not by content creators. Paid online election advertising must specify it is sponsored and include the names of those who paid for and approved the content. Any payments to content creators for posts related to elections must be declared, including those made during the non-election period if they pertain to election management. Additionally, donations to political parties also require disclosure under existing legislation.

Hazel Poa presented a motion urging the government to review the electoral boundary determination process for increased transparency and fairness, acknowledging the existing Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). Concerns were raised regarding the clarity of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's (EBRC) reports, which have become increasingly concise and lack substantial justification for boundary changes. Various members echoed the need for an independent commission to avoid potential gerrymandering, citing examples from other countries that utilize such systems. Minister Chan Chun Sing disputed claims of unfairness in boundary adjustments, asserting that the EBRC operates independently without consideration for political interests and emphasizing the need for boundaries to serve voters effectively. Ultimately, the motion was rejected in a parliamentary vote.

• Since 2019, nearly 2,450 clinics have been audited for fraudulent claims under CHAS, MediSave, MediShield Life, and COVID-19 schemes.
• The Ministry of Health revoked or suspended the accreditation of 11 clinics and suspended or terminated the CHAS participation of three more for serious non-compliance.
• Enforcement actions range from engagement and training to suspension and revocation, with egregious cases referred to police and professional councils for further investigation.

• Mr Zhulkarnain asked about supervisory measures and oversight for Foreign Worker Management (FWM) patrol teams, following an Auxiliary Police Officer’s conviction for misappropriating seized drugs, and the roles and powers of these teams.
• The Police deploy FWM teams, comprising contracted Auxiliary Police and Security Officers, to manage law and order in high-foreign-worker areas, with duties including enforcement against offences like public urination, littering, and illegal drug sales.
• FWM teams follow strict protocols, such as photographing evidence before seizure, preparing incident reports, and not collecting cash summons payments, with evidence handed to relevant agencies for verification.
• Police oversee FWM teams through pre- and post-shift briefings, routine checks, surprise inspections, and the upcoming rollout of body-worn cameras by March 2025 to enhance accountability.
• Non-compliance with protocols leads to internal disciplinary action, and criminal offences result in prosecution, treating FWM officers the same as other offenders.

• There are currently 10 Permanent Secretaries serving on private sector boards, including sectors such as finance, utilities, and maritime, with prior approvals required for such appointments.
• The arrangement aims to encourage diversity of perspectives and strengthen understanding between the public and private sectors.
• Checks are in place to manage potential conflicts of interest and ensure that Permanent Secretaries’ primary duties are not compromised.

• Dennis Tan asked whether investigations have started into bankers and property agents who facilitated property transactions for convicted persons and failed to conduct proper money laundering checks.
• Gan Kim Yong stated that law enforcement has identified specific individuals who facilitated financial and property transactions and will deal with them according to the law.
• Sector regulators are also investigating regulated entities and individuals to assess compliance with anti-money laundering standards.
• Where non-compliance is found, regulators will take firm and appropriate action against entities or individuals.

• ECDA has taken immediate steps to recover over-disbursed funds and expects full recovery by September 2024.
• Existing grant management controls include SOPs for eligibility verification and annual audits by appointed auditors.
• ECDA has tightened SOPs, expanded audit scope, updated Funding Guidelines, and will use data analytics to prevent recurrence.

• The Auditor-General’s report for FY2023/2024 identified over-disbursements of $446,000 and possible abuse or irregularities in grants totaling about $1.16 million, with government agencies seeking full recovery where over-disbursement is established and blocking further claims from suspected abusers.
• The Ministry of Finance has issued a grants governance framework and is working with agencies to strengthen oversight through data analytics, fraud detection, and practical tools like a fraud risk management checklist developed with the Commercial Affairs Department.
• Capability building efforts, including collaboration with the Civil Service College, are ongoing to enhance grants administration and ensure good governance across the five-stage grants management process.

• Minister Chan Chun Sing confirmed that all individuals involved in the Direct School Admission (DSA) selection process are required to declare any potential conflict of interest and recuse themselves if necessary.
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) oversees the DSA process with guidelines emphasizing transparency, objectivity, and school leadership involvement, while also de-registering or sanctioning coaches or staff who imply influence over outcomes.
• Following allegations involving a basketball coach, MOE has taken action by de-registering the coach and reminding schools to adhere to guidelines, while committing to regular reviews and firm action against any proven wrongdoing in the DSA process.

• Lim Biow Chuan asked the Ministry of Law for data on complaints against judicial officers in the State Courts and Supreme Court for breaches of the judicial code of conduct over the past three years.
• The Ministry of Law does not keep track of the number of such complaints, but understands from the Judiciary that a small number have been made since January 2021.
• Of the complaints, one is pending determination while the others were found to be not substantiated.

• Six family offices linked to individuals convicted in the $3 billion money laundering case were identified as having received tax incentives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
• Tax benefits for these family offices were withdrawn starting from the financial year the owners or their spouses were charged or convicted, with no clawback of prior benefits unless conditions were breached.
• Enforcement actions resulted in the forfeiture of assets from convicted individuals linked to these family offices, with the total value exceeding any tax benefits they had received.

Hazel Poa asked the Prime Minister for detailed data on gifts and meal invitations declared by civil servants and political officeholders in 2023. Chan Chun Sing emphasized that officials must not seek gifts, and those that cannot be declined should be declared and managed per established guidelines. There were approximately 3,450 gift declarations, with 60% allowed to be retained, and around 14% valued at $50 or more; however, centralized data on meal invitations was not available.

He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister about electoral rules regarding recourse for candidates and parties affected by manipulated media or fake news during Cooling Off Day or Polling Day. Chan Chun Sing stated that the government opposes malicious media content and can take action under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to correct and disable harmful content. Candidates and parties should publicly clarify any false content and can report offenses to the Police or seek legal action under the Protection from Harassment Act. On Cooling Off and Polling Days, while a ban on online election advertising is enforced, candidates can debunk false content as long as it does not qualify as election advertising.

• The Cultural Matching Fund provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants specifically for private cash donations to registered arts and heritage charities and Institutions of Public Character (IPCs), aiming to encourage philanthropic giving and create a sustainable arts scene.
• Grants are restricted to registered charities and IPCs due to their high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability, which ensure proper use of public funds and engender public trust.
• CMF grants only support expenses that directly contribute to programme delivery and impact, such as direct programme costs, and exclude staff bonuses, welfare benefits, legal fees, and similar expenses.
• The CMF is part of a broader suite of government schemes that provide holistic support for the arts and heritage sector, including various grants from the National Arts Council and National Heritage Board.

• Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Prime Minister for three specific numbers regarding voters in the 2023 Presidential Election who were notified as non-voters, applied to restore their names, and have been restored.
• Chan Chun Sing, speaking for the Prime Minister, stated that 174,466 voters were informed as non-voters after the election and that 104,355 applied to restore their names, with 1,563 claiming they had voted.
• All restoration applications were successful as of end March 2024, and the Elections Department will continue reminders through press releases and Singpass notifications.

• The Prime Minister appoints the Returning Officer for Singapore's presidential and parliamentary elections.
• The Returning Officer should be a senior public officer with relevant experience, such as having held a senior election appointment in previous elections.
• The selection considers the need for the Returning Officer to oversee the conduct of elections effectively.

• Leong Mun Wai inquired about the ongoing investigation into false inflation of circulation numbers at Singapore Press Holdings.
• K Shanmugam responded that police investigations are still in progress and no comments can be provided at this stage.
• The debate highlighted the lack of updates due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired whether the People’s Association conducts background checks on individuals appointed to grassroots positions, the existence of code of conduct requirements for such appointees, and whether these rules prohibit participation in foreign political events or promoting specific political causes.
• Edwin Tong Chun Fai responded that the question had already been addressed in a previous parliamentary reply from 16 February 2024, directing the member to the official report on the vetting process for grassroots leaders regarding foreign influence susceptibility.

• The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau has completed its investigation into Seatrium and its individuals, resulting in two people being charged with corruption offences related to bribes for Brazilian beneficiaries and one facing an obstruction of justice charge.
• The Public Prosecutor is negotiating a deferred prosecution agreement with Seatrium, which would require the company to pay a US$110 million financial penalty, with up to US$53 million potentially offsetting a settlement with Brazilian authorities.
• Any finalized deferred prosecution agreement must be approved by the High Court, and further details are available in the joint press release dated 28 March 2024.

• The Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) uses a multi-layered approach, including staff checks for inconsistencies and cross-verification with agencies like CPF, IRAS, and employers, to detect fraudulent applications for financial aid.
• MSF has identified that false declarations can occur, and it addresses this by making applicants aware of enforcement actions and having mechanisms to recover assistance from ineligible recipients.
• The ministry employs data analytics post-disbursement to identify higher-risk profiles for further investigation and commits to strict enforcement and legal action against fraud to maintain system integrity.