High standards of conduct expected of all public servants: Chan Chun Sing on Section 165

[macrosszero]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/high-standards-of-conduct-expected-of-all-public-servants-chan-chun-sing-on-section-165

SINGAPORE – High standards of conduct are expected of all public servants, said Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing on Oct 14. 

In Singapore, it is not acceptable for a public servant to accept or obtain gifts from a person whom he or she has official dealings with. 

Otherwise, public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the Government would be undermined, Mr Chan added. 

“This is also the ethos Singaporeans would expect of leaders in all organisations, whether private or public,” said Mr Chan, who is also Education Minister.

He was responding in Parliament, on behalf of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to questions raised by several MPs on the application of Section 165 of the Penal Codeand its impact on the wider public service.

Earlier in October, former transport minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail after pleading guilty to five charges, including four under Section 165 for obtaining valuable items as a public servant. 

Workers’ Party MP Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) asked whether the definition of a public servant under the Penal Code was fit for purpose for an offence under Section 165, and if Singapore’s anti-corruption laws should be reviewed for greater efficacy.

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) and Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) asked if Section 165 may deter individuals and top talent from the private sector from joining or contributing to the public service.

In response, Mr Chan said the rules would not deter good people from joining or contributing to the public service.

“On the contrary, if we do not have an ethos or system that ensures clean, honest government, we would not be able to attract the right people from the private sector to join us,” he added.

The definition of public servants generally includes public officers under the employment of the public service and various individuals executing public duties on behalf of the Government.

On whether the anti-corruption laws should be reviewed, Mr Chan said there should not be a knee-jerk reaction to immediately tighten or add more rules when individuals fall short. 

If the rules were clear, but flouted or ignored, what should be done is to take decisive action against the offender instead of adjusting the rules.

If the rules were unclear, they should be clarified or simplified, he said.

The rules should be updated if they were too lax or do not cover a new situation, added Mr Chan.

“The recent developments show that we do not shy away from doing the right thing to uphold the trust that Singaporeans have in the Government, and this is what we will continue to do,” he said.

 

[macrosszero]

Honestly, it makes it very hard for high political office holders - they have to virtually hide their identity for any purchase so as not to become vulnerable to being suspected of being offered any biased or advantageous offer to any big ticket item they may purchase, lest it be perceived as some kind of now or future corruption

[Victor68]

Aren't it lonely up there? Public figure are also subject to scrutiny by others. There is no perfect human. Many abuse their power but just be ready to face the consequences lor.

[Sosaria]

On 10/14/2024 at 11:12 PM, macrosszero said:

Honestly, it makes it very hard for high political office holders - they have to virtually hide their identity for any purchase so as not to become vulnerable to being suspected of being offered any biased or advantageous offer to any big ticket item they may purchase, lest it be perceived as some kind of now or future corruption

So, the solution is to live humbly like the rest of us peasants. Don't go for big ticket items where "discounts" may be offered and cause controversy.

Buy HDB got no discount one

 

[Inlinefour]

my friend reminded 

 

must install disappearing messages 

 

else dai chi liao liao 

 

🫣🫣🫣

 

[Volvobrick]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:01 AM, Sosaria said:

So, the solution is to live humbly like the rest of us peasants. Don't go for big ticket items where "discounts" may be offered and cause controversy.

Buy HDB got no discount one

 

Just rent B an W no problem. 

[inlinesix]

That means buy car cannot haggle🤭

[macrosszero]

Go MP walkabout also cannot accept free curry puff from stallholders 🤪 

[Beehive3783]

On 10/14/2024 at 11:12 PM, macrosszero said:

Honestly, it makes it very hard for high political office holders - they have to virtually hide their identity for any purchase so as not to become vulnerable to being suspected of being offered any biased or advantageous offer to any big ticket item they may purchase, lest it be perceived as some kind of now or future corruption

They are paid 6 to 7 figures a year, I'm sure this is a small sacrifice to make for that obscene salary. 

If their pockets are really clean and nothing to hide, no problem at all.

[SGMCF328]

On 10/14/2024 at 11:12 PM, macrosszero said:

Honestly, it makes it very hard for high political office holders - they have to virtually hide their identity for any purchase so as not to become vulnerable to being suspected of being offered any biased or advantageous offer to any big ticket item they may purchase, lest it be perceived as some kind of now or future corruption

That's why all the big ticket items are under their spouse's name, nope? Hahahaha

Balakrishnan also noted that he was not aware of the guide rent – the minimum rent to be achieved – when his wife signed the tenancy agreement. They originally paid S$19,000 before rents were increased in the second term taking into consideration market conditions. Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/ridout-road-bungalows-shanmugam-decided-put-family-home-sale-vivian-wanted-family-under

My 2 cents: 不做亏心事，不怕鬼敲门

 

On 10/15/2024 at 8:01 AM, Sosaria said:

So, the solution is to live humbly like the rest of us peasants. Don't go for big ticket items where "discounts" may be offered and cause controversy.

Buy HDB got no discount one

 

Their celery is way above the ceiling for even EC, how to buy HDB? Buy resale can be accused of 做手脚 also loh.

But I recall last time some of the special HDB units were reserved for RC members or those in civil service, like that also not very fair.

 

On 10/15/2024 at 8:11 AM, Volvobrick said:

Just rent B an W no problem. 

How many B&W Bangalore bungalow we have here? If all minister, mp and silver servant decided to take up the "benefits", have to ballot or bid for it, not cheap liao.

Edited October 15 by SGMCF328

[inlinesix]

On 10/15/2024 at 10:45 AM, SGMCF328 said:

How many B&W Bangalore bungalow we have here? If all minister, mp and silver servant decided to take up the "benefits", have to ballot or bid for it, not cheap liao.

During the days of police wear shorts, B&W bungalow is reserved for senior civil servant.

Nowadays, even lich ppl not thinking about B&W bungalow.  All maintenance (incl wear & tear) falls on the lessee.

In term of psf rental, it is cheap

[Soya]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:01 AM, Sosaria said:

So, the solution is to live humbly like the rest of us peasants. Don't go for big ticket items where "discounts" may be offered and cause controversy.

Buy HDB got no discount one

 

The endless number of 'grants' considered diskaun or not? 

 

[Sosaria]

On 10/15/2024 at 10:56 AM, inlinesix said:

During the days of police wear shorts, B&W bungalow is reserved for senior civil servant.

Nowadays, even lich ppl not thinking about B&W bungalow.  All maintenance (incl wear & tear) falls on the lessee.

In term of psf rental, it is cheap

Some are like holiday resort, like those near beach area. Old houses. Evil serpents can book during holidays, but not sure how they queue and decide who gets when - by rank? Polis wear shorts era was long before my time

 

[Raychay]

It's so clear cut.

If someone gives u free paid holidays, free concert tickets, free bottles of liquor, etc. worth thousands of dollars...

 

[Victor68]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:01 AM, Sosaria said:

So, the solution is to live humbly like the rest of us peasants. Don't go for big ticket items where "discounts" may be offered and cause controversy.

Buy HDB got no discount one

 

Like that no biz to do liao. Live like caveman har? Even communist country also want to live differently from peasants lah. 

[Sosaria]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:12 PM, Victor68 said:

Like that no biz to do liao. Live like caveman har? Even communist country also want to live differently from peasants lah. 

Why not? Someone high high up used to stay in yishun jumbo hdb. Relatively humble down-to-earth lifestyle.

[Benarsenal]

On 10/14/2024 at 11:12 PM, macrosszero said:

Honestly, it makes it very hard for high political office holders - they have to virtually hide their identity for any purchase so as not to become vulnerable to being suspected of being offered any biased or advantageous offer to any big ticket item they may purchase, lest it be perceived as some kind of now or future corruption

At their level, they don't need to buy things themselves. They can always get someone to buy for them without revealing their real identity.

This is easy to do for cars and private property.

[BanCoe]

On 10/15/2024 at 2:00 PM, Soya said:

The endless number of 'grants' considered diskaun or not? 

 

Pay full cash buy car / property bargaining ….asking discount…. Then how ?? Reminds me of 4 seasons