CORRUPT PRACTICES INVESTIGATION BUREAU (Investigation into bribe scandal involving Keppel Shipyard and an employee of Exxon)

Mr Ling How Doong asked the Prime Minister whether the investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau into the bribe scandal involving Keppel Shipyard and an employee of Exxon has been completed.

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the CPIB's investigation is actually an extension of an earlier investigation by the Fraud Squad of the Hampshire Constabulary of the United Kingdom. Through the cooperative efforts of both CPIB and the Hampshire Constabulary, Van der Horst, the Repair and Technical Manager of Exxon Corporation's Southampton-based subsidiary, Petroleum Shipping Ltd, has already been charged in the UK for accepting bribes totalling £1.6 million (S$3.4 million) from Keppel Shipyard. Van der Horst pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment which he is currently serving.

The CPIB, however, has not completed its own investigation into the matter. It will only be able to make a recommendation on what action to take against the involved parties after completion of the investigation.

Mr Ling How Doong (Bukit Gombak): Sir, roughly, when will the investigation be completed?

The Prime Minister: I do not know the exact answer because the CPIB is in the process of doing it and it has not given me an indication as to when the investigation will be completed.

Mr Ling How Doong: When it involves $3.4 million, could the House be told how this was entered in the books of Keppel Shipyard?

The Prime Minister: I would not know. As I said, the CPIB is in the process of investigation and I cannot go beyond what I have told him at this moment. When the investigation has been completed, further questions can be asked and the details can be given.