Indranee Rajah on Keppel O&M corruption probe
The Public Prosecutor (PP) did not bring charges in an alleged bribery case involving six former employees of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) because the evidence available in Singapore did not provide sufficient basis to do so beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, stern warnings were issued by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) instead. Explaining this in Parliament on Monday (Feb 6), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah gave details of how CPIB “has done its best” to uncover the necessary evidence, working with international partners in the US and Brazil. CPIB and the Attorney-General’s Chambers reviewed documents, including a deferred prosecution agreement between Keppel O&M and the US Department of Justice as well as plea bargains, and the PP advised that those were insufficient to meet the burden of proof. However, if new and compelling evidence comes to light, the PP can and will re-evaluate the decision. The individuals involved have not been named as they were not charged in court. Ms Indranee said what can be inferred from this case is that while Singapore has zero tolerance of corruption, it also adheres strongly to the rule of law.
The Public Prosecutor (PP) did not bring charges in an alleged bribery case involving six former employees of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) because the evidence available in Singapore did not provide sufficient basis to do so beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, stern warnings were issued by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) instead. Explaining this in Parliament on Monday (Feb 6), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah gave details of how CPIB “has done its best” to uncover the necessary evidence, working with international partners in the US and Brazil. CPIB and the Attorney-General’s Chambers reviewed documents, including a deferred prosecution agreement between Keppel O&M and the US Department of Justice as well as plea bargains, and the PP advised that those were insufficient to meet the burden of proof. However, if new and compelling evidence comes to light, the PP can and will re-evaluate the decision. The individuals involved have not been named as they were not charged in court. Ms Indranee said what can be inferred from this case is that while Singapore has zero tolerance of corruption, it also adheres strongly to the rule of law.
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