Singapore Records Lowest Corruption In 2024: Report

<p>Singapore, May 28 (PTI) Singapore recorded its lowest number of corruption cases in 2024, both in terms of reports lodged and new cases registered, according to a media report on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) received 177 corruption-related reports in 2024, of which 75 were registered for investigation, according to the agency’s annual statistics.</p>
<p>In comparison, there were 215 reports and 81 cases in 2023 and 447 reports and 118 cases in 2016, The Straits Times newspaper reported.</p>
<p>”Singapore in 2024 recorded its lowest number of corruption cases yet,” the news report said.</p>
<p>Of the 177 reports it received in 2024, 61 were made anonymously, the CPIB said, adding that 133 people were prosecuted in court for the offences.</p>
<p>The conviction rate in 2024 was 97 per cent, with four acquittals and three cases pending appeal hearings.</p>
<p>Despite the lower numbers last year, the national anti-graft agency said recent high-profile corruption cases show that Singapore cannot let its guard down.</p>
<p>Citing cases involving former transport minister S Iswaran and others, the CPIB said it &ldquo;will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against all perpetrators who engage in corrupt activities, including those who try to launder their tainted proceeds&rdquo;.</p>
<p>Indian-origin Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in jail in October 2024 after pleading guilty to five charges for obtaining valuable items as a public servant from a property tycoon.</p>
<p>According to the report, the number of public-sector cases remained low, accounting for just seven of the 75 cases registered for investigation.</p>
<p>Singapore was ranked the least corrupt country in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index report released by the global anti-graft watchdog Transparency International in February. This was a first for Singapore in 14 years, said the report.</p>
<p>Singapore was also ranked the third-least corrupt nation in the world, which is the city state&rsquo;s highest position since 2020, after Denmark and Finland.</p>
<p>CPIB said heavy punishment, effective laws, political determination and a zero-tolerance culture for corruption were cited in the survey as the top factors contributing to Singapore’s low corruption rate.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Singapore&rsquo;s corruption situation remains firmly under control. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance prevention efforts and amplify anti-corruption messages,&rdquo; the anti-corruption agency was quoted as saying in the report.&nbsp;</p>
<p class=”p1″><em><strong>(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></em></p>
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