CASES INVESTIGATED BY CORRUPT PRACTICES INVESTIGATION BUREAU BETWEEN 1988 TO 1992

Mr Chia Shi Teck asked the Prime Minister (a) how many cases were investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau each year from 1988 to 1992 and what was the success rate; (b) how CPIB compensates those found innocent; and (c) how CPIB decides before proceeding with an investigation.

The Prime Minister: The number of cases investigated each year from 1988 to 1992 and the success rate are as follows: Year No. of Court Depart- No Success Cases Action mental Action# Rate Investi- Action gated (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (c+d)x100 --------- b 1988 1,142 749* 74 319 72% 1989 837 256 127 454 46% 1990 1,106 601* 85 420 62% 1991 1,048 429 119 500 52% 1992 1,066 409 123 534 49% ______________________________________________________ Average 1,040 489 106 445 57% ===================================================== Note: #"No Action" includes cases where there is insufficient evidence to proceed either in court or departmentally. It also includes cases which could not be substantiated. *The figures for these two years are higher because of the investigation on squatters who had cheated the HDB in resettlement compensations.

The CPIB does not find any one guilty or innocent. That is for the Courts to decide. CPIB's role is to investigate complaints and to determine, on the basis of the evidence uncovered, whether there is cause to recommend departmental action or to recommend to the Public Prosecutor that prosecution be instituted.

For CPIB to continue to serve as an effective deterrent against corruption, it is not in the public interest to divulge details of its internal procedures or its investigative techniques. Suffice it to say that CPIB has devised efficient methods to sieve out the vague, frivolous or vexatious complaints from those which are bona fide and sufficiently serious to warrant a thorough investigation to establish if an offence has been commit ted.

In carrying out its functions, CPIB is mindful of the anxiety and embarrassment which can be caused to individuals where there is no basis to the complaint. Those who give false information or make false complaints can be charged in Court and, if convicted, are liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or to both. For the period in question 37 people were so charged. 28 of them were convicted, 7 acquitted and 2 cases are still pending.