Singapore will never let standards slip or allow system to go corrupt: PM Lee
Tessa Oh
SINGAPORE will never let its standards slip or let the system go corrupt, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Nov 5), referring to the recent S$2.8 billion dollar money laundering case.
“Everybody who does business here, whether you are a Singaporean or non-Singaporean, must know that this is how things work in Singapore,” he said in a speech at the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) awards and convention.
The money laundering saga saw the police arrest 10 people and seize money, houses, luxury cars, gold bars, watches and handbags.
PM Lee recalled how a journalist had asked him if Singapore was letting standards slip to attract unclean money as the country promotes family offices and the financial industry.
“My answer is: not on your life. We will never let our standards slip, it’s not worth it,” PM Lee stressed.
If Singapore were to let its standards slip, “doubtful characters” would spend generously here to make themselves appear respectable, show they love Singapore, and ingratiate themselves to try and become permanent residents and citizens, said PM Lee.
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They would also do this by cultivating relationships with ministers and officials, donating to good causes, and “making themselves useful in all sorts of ways”.
If Singapore were to go down this path, “very soon our whole system would be tainted, and then corrupted”, said the prime minister.
This is why in the case of the money laundering bust, Singapore’s law enforcement agencies picked up the warning signs two years ago and watched carefully to learn more about the network, before swooping in at the right moment to cripple it simultaneously.
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Keeping Singapore’s system incorruptible is the responsibility of all PAP members – not just ministers or party leaders, said PM Lee, alluding to the recent scandals involving its ministers and Members of Parliament.
“Singapore is a small place, and our system works,” he said. “If you do something improper, sooner or later it will come to light. When it does, you will be investigated. And if it is proved that you did something wrong, you are out, and consequences will follow.”
He said that every party member wears white, a colour that he described as simple, recognisable and a symbol of the commitment to honesty and incorruptibility.
“This commitment is absolutely non-negotiable. We have maintained it for over 60 years now, rigorously enforcing discipline and keeping the party clean. We have made Singapore one of the cleanest, least corrupt countries, not just in Asia, but in the world,” he said.
He reminded party members to never bring themselves or the PAP into disrepute in their party responsibilities or private dealings.
“Remember: you are a member of the PAP. And the name of the party says it all – your duty is to serve the people, to act on behalf of the people, and never of yourself,” said PM Lee.
“Our integrity and honesty must never be compromised; only in that way can we do justice to the trust that Singaporeans have given us.”
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