Singapore sees record low corruption cases

Singapore

Singapore reported its lowest number of corruption reports and cases in 2024, marking a new record in its fight against graft. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said it received 177 corruption-related reports, down from 215 in 2023. Of these, 75 cases were officially investigated.

Out of the 177 reports, 61 were made anonymously. CPIB prosecuted 133 people in court for related offences, with a conviction rate of 97%. Four were acquitted and three cases remain under appeal.

Although corruption cases fell, CPIB warned that recent high-profile incidents show corruption risks still exist. These include the conviction of former transport minister S. Iswaran, who was jailed for a year in 2024 for accepting gifts and obstructing justice. Another case involved Ng Teck Lee, ex-president of Citiraya Industries, and his wife Thor Chwee Hwa, who were arrested in Malaysia and brought back to Singapore after fleeing in 2005. They allegedly embezzled US$51 million.

CPIB noted that only seven of the 75 cases in 2024 came from the public sector. The rest were from the private sector. In 12 cases, public officers rejected bribes, showing continued integrity.

Singapore was named the least corrupt country in the Asia-Pacific region and ranked third in the world, behind Denmark and Finland, in Transparency International’s 2024 report.

A survey also showed 97% of citizens rated Singapore’s anti-corruption efforts as good or excellent. CPIB credited strong laws, tough penalties, political will, and a zero-tolerance culture for keeping corruption low. The agency pledged to continue its strict actions and public education campaigns.