1 out of 5 graft probes by CPIB involves public officers: DPM Teo Chee Hean

On average, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) opened 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation and these make up about one in five of all graft probes by the agency, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. -- ST
On average, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) opened 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation and these make up about one in five of all graft probes by the agency, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. -- ST FILE PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN 

On average, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) opens 39 cases involving public officers per year for investigation and these make up about one in five of all graft probes by the agency, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

"About two thirds of the investigations involving public officers led to prosecution or disciplinary proceedings," added DPM Teo in a statement released through the Prime Minister's Officer (PMO) on Wednesday. His comments come shortly after a CPIB officer was charged in court earlier in the day for misappropriating the bureau's funds.

He said a study of public officers investigated for corruption and other financial crimes by the police Commercial Affairs Department and CPIB over the last five years, concluded that cases involving such officers have "remained low and quite stable over the last five years".

"We will take strong measures to tighten up processes," added DPM Teo, who is also the Minister in charge of the Civil Service

"PMO is examining whether any supervisory lapses may have contributed to this incident. If so, it will take action against the officers responsible.

"Significantly, many cases were reported either by the public, or by officers in the

public service. This suggests a strong culture in Singapore and in the Public Service

which rejects corruption."

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