SINGAPORE - The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) announced a new staff member on Saturday (Sept 16) and he has caused quite a stir online with his professional profile.
The latest addition to the team, 24-year-old Kopi Lim, loves coffee - especially sugarless Kopi O Kosong - dislikes vegetables, and started work on Monday (Sept 18), CPIB's 65th anniversary.
Kopi Lim is also a bespectacled polar bear plushie.
CPIB shared a snapshot of his profile on Facebook, much to netizens' mirth.
Facebook user Andrew Chua wrote: "Beary, beary cute!"
Others referenced the colloquial expression of "lim kopi", which means "to drink coffee" in Hokkien and is commonly used for when police officers approach someone for more information.
"Make sure you don't (get to) lim kopi with this officer," wrote Kenneth Wong.
Kopi Lim is part of the bureau's efforts to reach out to the public through social media.
A CPIB spokesman told The Straits Times that Kopi Lim is its latest public relations initiative to commemorate CPIB's 65th anniversary on Monday.
"We hope that through this persona, we will be able to work through social media to reach out to the community-at-large and educate the public on the perils of corruption and on CPIB's work in approachable and creative ways."
CPIB added two more photos of the white mascot, in which he appears to be reading a book, on Monday.
"First day of work. Feeling the jitters because I don't know if I will fit in or not," was the accompanying status update from Kopi Lim.
He then elaborated on CPIB's history. The bureau was founded in 1952 and the team of only 13 officers was led by Mr Richard Middleton-Smith, the first director of CPIB.
"From their small room at the Old Supreme Court, the team managed to uncover widespread corruption and valuable information on opium smuggling," said Kopi Lim. "Corruption was rife then. Five locations and 65 years later, Singapore is now one of the least corrupt nations in the world."
CPIB said the public can be assured that it will remain resolute and firm in its enforcement work.
"Corruption is a crime and a serious matter," said the CPIB spokesman. "The CPIB will continue its relentless fight against it without fear or favour."
