Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts

Friday 26 April 2013

Friday 12 April 2013

What are the central issues in this general election? Number 1 issue is addressing CORRUPTION.


What are the central issues in this general election?  

For me, these will be corruption, accountability and transparency.  Other issues of equal importance are economic development and cost of living.

Are these adequately addressed by the main political parties?  How well are the political parties putting forward their arguments to win the debates on these issues?  How well are they in winning the hearts of the people on these issues?

In particular, almost everyone I meet, irrespective of race, have a united view that they perceive corruption is rampant and uncontrolled.  This is their perception and how are the political parties addressing the concerns of the voters on this single issue?

Yes, there are also politicians who are still wearing their racial glasses, spurting out racial issues and negatively talking about racial unrest post election.  Strangely, such exhortations seem to be predominantly from a particular party and not from the other.  Just wondering why.

Do exercise your votes wisely.  You should feel free to exercise your vote to elect the representatives of your personal choice.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

My mission was to establish a clean government — Lee Kuan Yew


September 19, 2012

SEPT 19 — In a region where corruption is endemic, Singapore has remained clean. From 1959 when the PAP first formed the government, we have stamped out corruption. The challenge is to keep corruption free. We have to rid our society of greed, corruption and decadence. When I became Prime Minister in 1959, my mission was to establish a clean and efficient Government against the backdrop of a corruption-ridden region. We set up systems and processes to ensure that every dollar in revenue was properly accounted for: we sharpened the instruments that could prevent, detect and deter instances where discretionary powers could be abused. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), which was under my care, has succeeded in keeping the country clean.
The CPIB was established by the British in 1952 to tackle the increasing corruption. However, little was done because the CPIB lacked the necessary resources and legal powers. When I took over in 1959, I strengthened the laws and the organisation of CPIB.
We tightened the law on corruption. Wealth disproportionate to a person’s earnings would serve as corroborative evidence when a person is charged for corruption. The CPIB was placed directly under the Prime Minister. And if the Prime Minister were to refuse giving his consent for the CPIB to make any inquiries or to carry out any investigations into any person including the Prime Minister himself, the Director CPIB can seek the concurrence of the President to carry on with the investigations. In other words, nobody is exempt.
Over the years, Singapore has established an effective anti-corruption framework. Leaders must be above suspicion. They must insist on the same high standards of probity of their fellow ministers and of the officials working for them. We do not tolerate corruption. CPIB has since developed a formidable reputation for its thorough and fearless investigations. The bureau has successfully dealt with a number of corrupt senior government officials including Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and prominent businessmen. This is testament to CPIB’s independence. The bureau can discharge its duties in a swift and sure, but firm and fair manner.
The most dramatic case was that of Teh Cheang Wan, then minister for National Development. In November 1986, he was investigated by the CPIB for accepting two bribes totalling US$1 million (RM3 million). In one case, it was to allow a development company to retain part of its land, which had been earmarked for compulsory government acquisition, and in the other to assist a developer in the purchase of state land for private development. These bribes had taken place in 1981 and 1982. Teh denied receiving the money and tried to bargain with the senior assistant director of the CPIB for the case not to be pursued. He had offered to pay back SG$800,000 in exchange for immunity. The cabinet secretary reported this and said Teh had asked to see me. I replied that I could not until the investigations were over as I could become a witness. A week later, on the morning of December 15, 1986, my security officer reported that Teh had died and left me a letter:
Prime Minister,
I have been feeling very sad and depressed for the last two weeks. I feel responsible for the occurrence of this unfortunate incident and I feel I should accept full responsibility. As an honourable oriental gentleman, I feel it is only right that I should pay the highest penalty for my mistake.
Yours faithfully,
Teh Cheang Wan
CPIB has been and is a tenacious and effective instrument against corruption. The bureau and its officers have contributed to Singapore’s standing, giving confidence to investors that has led to our progress and prosperity. We must remain vigilant and ensure that Singapore continues to be regarded as one of the least corrupt nations in the world, with a clean public service and businesses that abhor corruption. — TR Emeritus
Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who was Singapore’s first Prime Minister, wrote a preface for the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau 60th anniversary commemorative coffee table book.

Saturday 20 February 2010

Be transparent and give the public the facts. The public can make the judgement

Saturday February 20, 2010
Lim: Zahrain would have ruined ‘perfect record’ in stamping out graft

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim could have ruined Penang’s “perfect record” in stamping out corruption.

Lim claimed that if the state had gone ahead and approved Zahrain’s request to award a Bukit Jambul Country Club tender to a RM2 private company, it would have become a case for the Malaysian Anti-Corrup-tion Commission (MACC).

“The state did not approve Zahrain’s request to give the tender to this company which was set up just two months before the tender was opened.

“In fact, I believe this company was set up for the sole intention of bidding for this tender.”

He said that since Pakatan Rakyat took over Penang two years ago, there had not been any cases of corruption involving state leaders.

“Of course, we have had reports lodged against us at the MACC, but these reek of lies and a political agenda and none has been found to be true by the commission,” Lim told reporters after attending Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee’s Chinese New Year open house at the Gat Lebuh Macallum flats yesterday.

Lim repeated his claim that Zahrain was disappointed when his request was rejected, which then led to his subsequent outbursts against Lim and later, his resignation from PKR.

“We can lose 10 million Zahrains but I will not jeopardise the interest of 1.5 million Penangites,” Lim said.

Zahrain has consistently denied these claims, citing dissatisfaction with Lim’s leadership of Penang as the main reason for quitting PKR.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/20/nation/5713157&sec=nation