Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau

History

Formerly known as the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) within the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the CPIB was first established in 1952 as an independent agency under the purview of the attorney-general. Having been under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) during its earlier years, the agency remained under the purview of the attorney-general until it was transferred to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in 1969.

In 1961, the bureau moved into the former Registration Office on Stamford Road, which was itself formerly a middle school building for St Andrew's School. It remained there for 24 years before moving into the Hill Street Centre on 6 August 1984. On 9 March 1998, the CPIB moved into the former Keppel Primary School. In April 2004, it moved to Lengkok Bahru at Bukit Merah.

Legal framework

Enacted on 17 June 1960, the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) is the primary anti-corruption law in Singapore. The following are provided for under the PCA:

• Powers for the CPIB to investigate bribery in all forms, both monetary and non-monetary in nature, and in both the public and private sectors;
• Extraterritorial powers for the CPIB to deal with corrupt acts committed by a Singapore citizen outside Singapore as though these were committed in Singapore;
• Fine of up to S$100,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding 5 years, or to both, for each count of corruption;
• Fine of up to S$100,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding 7 years, or to both, for each count of corruption in relation to a contract or a proposal for a contract with the Government;
• Presumption where any gratification given or received by a person in the employment of the Government or of a public body is deemed corrupt, and the burden of proof to rebut the presumption lies with the person;
• Forfeiture of gratification received in the form of a penalty equivalent to the amount of bribes received upon conviction; and
• Non-disclosure of the name or address of any informer, or any matter which might lead to the discovery of the informer's identity.

The CPIB also operates with functional independence from the police and nominally from the government, and is headed by a director who reports directly to the Prime Minister but may also additionally report to the President, especially if the former refuses to give consent for a formal investigation or there's a potential case against the Prime Minister themselves.

The agency may also, in the course of its investigations, come across cases which reveal corruption-prone areas or loopholes in procedures in government departments. Based on its findings, CPIB may review the department concerned and recommend changes in their procedures. In addition to its primary function of investigating corruption offences, the CPIB also undertakes public education and community outreach efforts relating to anti-corruption.

The director of the CPIB can also report to the president if the prime minister refuses any investigation or prosecution to be taken place.

Cases

In April 2019, the CPIB reported that it received 358 corruption-related reports, and registered 107 new cases for investigation in 2018. Cases involving the private sector continued to form the majority, or 88%, of all new cases registered for investigation by the CPIB in 2018. The conviction rate remained high, averaging 98% from 2014 to 2018. The CPIB is committed to fight corruption with resolve, by strengthening its interview tradecraft, intelligence and investigative support capabilities.

Notable cases

Main article: Corruption in Singapore#Notable incidents

Some notable cases tackled by the CPIB are the operation against Chap Ji Kee lottery syndicates, the corruption trial against Minister of State Wee Toon Boon and the investigation of Minister for National Development Teh Cheang Wan. In 2023, the CPIB arrested property tycoon Ong Beng Seng and the Minister for Transport S. Iswaran for bribery and corruption respectively.

References

References

1. "Roles & Functions". CPIB.
2. "Corruption Control In Singapore". United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.
3. (31 January 2023). "Singapore ranked least corrupt Asian country and fifth overall of 180 countries and territories".
4. Liew, Clement. (20 September 2022). "Scrupulous, Thorough, Fearless: The Cpib Story". World Scientific.
5. (1 January 2006). "The Role of Parliament in Curbing Corruption". World Bank Publications.
6. (24 September 1960). "Office shift". [[The Straits Times]].
7. . ["Stamford Road – 1961 to 1984"](https://www.roots.gov.sg/places/places-landing/Places/landmarks/the-graftbusters-trail/stamford-road-1961-to-1984). *[[National Heritage Board (Singapore)*.
8. . ["Hill Street 1984 to 1998"](https://www.roots.gov.sg/places/places-landing/Places/landmarks/the-graftbusters-trail/hill-street-1984-to-1998). *[[National Heritage Board (Singapore)*.
9. (3 March 1998). "CPIB MOVES". [[The Straits Times]].
10. (16 April 2004). "CPIB MOVES TO". [[The Straits Times]].
11. "www.cpib.gov.sg/about-corruption/prevention-of-corruption-act".
12. "How did CPIB come about and what powers does it have in investigating corruption in Singapore?".
13. "Corruption Situation in Singapore Firmly Under Control". CPIB.
14. (1 December 2022). "How crime-riddled Singapore cleaned up its act and rooted out corruption".
15. (3 March 1998). "CPIB MOVES". [[The Straits Times]].