THIS IS A SOLUTION, HOW TO FINISH CORRUPTION?
Well everyone in Pakistan seems to commend the achievements of Singapore in drastically reducing the corruption level. It is a matter of pride for us Asians that we have one Asian country in the list of top 5 corruption less country. Today in this article we shall try to see what steps Singapore took to ensure such great achievement, which now have become an example for other countries to follow. I will try to keep the article short and simple, and “to the point”.
Before beginning the main discussion we have to look at some quick facts on Singapore. Singapore is a small island country made up of 63 islands, in the southern tip of Malay Peninsula. Singapore is one of the most advanced economies in the world, with successful free market economy. Like India, Singapore was a British colony, and got rid of the British in 31st August 1963. Since then they made rapid progress, thanks to some efficient planning and execution. Her GDP per ca-pita is 62,100 $, and what is amazing is the fact that the GDP is still growing at the rate of 14.5%. When it started off though, just after independence she had a GDP per ca pita of 511$, what a remarkable leap!
Initially Singapore, when it started off as a developing country did face the crisis of corruption, but they left no stone upturned to achieve a level that has become the subject of study to many foreign Nations. During the 1950’s the police inspectors of Singapore stole 1,800 tons of narcotics and forced the British to form some sort of vigilance commission named- CPIB (Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau). This didn’t help much until major restructuring and improvements were made inside CPIB itself. “In response, in the 1970s, Singapore reorganized the CPIB and gave it considerable powers to curb endemic corruption. The reorganized CPIB concentrated its activities on investigation and enforcement. Evidence of the CPIB’s success in reducing corruption is present from Singapore’s highly favorable investment climate that “typically ranks among the top twenty recipients of foreign investment in the world in absolute terms.” This success in attracting investments attests to that government’s ability to overcome the perverse effects of reputation in the persistence of corrupt behavior.” “Among the CPIB’s unique characteristics are its small size, narrow police emphasis, and service to a semi-authoritarian regime. With only 75 staff members, the CPIB lacks the presence of Hong Kong’s ICAC, and it has accordingly a narrow investigative function. The CPIB has relied on deterrent strategies; for example, a conviction for corruption may carry a $100,000.00 fine and up to five years in prison.
But it’s not only the CPIB which makes all the differences there are others parts as well. Let me summarize those in order.
In an article on Corruption Control in Singapore, Mr Koh Teck Hin, Deputy Director CPIB, Singapore outlines those salient points which forms the core of the anti corruption campaign of Singapore:-
POLITICAL WILL
Mr. Koh Teck Hin, says, “These sentiments reflect the determination and political will for the fight against corruption. Political will is a key ingredient in the transformation effort from Singapore’s corruption infested past as it forms that all important sub-structure, upon which all the super-structures of anti-corruption work rest. It provides the soil and the nutrient which allows the seeds of anti-corruption work to germinate and grow. The government has matched its words with deeds – it mobilized the public, and the entire civil service to fight corruption.”
FRAMEWORK OF CORRUPTION CONTROL
With a strong political will as the foundation, the framework of corruption control consists of four pillars, consisting of 4As, as follows:
A. Effective Anti Corruption Acts (or laws)
I. This allows CPIB to inspect both private and public cases. Since Public cases are also vital to ensure corruption free run of corporate and attract investment.
II. The public official has to prove his innocence if he is reported to have accepted bribes or under table payments.
III. A bribe acceptor would still be punished if he fails to return favour after accepting the bribe.
IV. The act forbids to public officials to accept gifts.
V. The act empowers the official to pay the exact amount of bribe he received apart from other punishment.
VI. The act reserves punishment for any cases of corruption committed outside Singapore.
B. Effective Anti Corruption Agency
I. The CPIB is the only agency empowered with the right and independence to deal with any cases of corruption.
II. It can investigate cases of any person however high in the hierarchy he may be.
III. It directly reports to the Prime Minister and no one else.
IV. The Bureau’s slogan is “swift and sure” by which it ensures fast and outright coverage of cases.
C. Effective Adjudication (or punishment)
I. Transparency in the Judicial Process.
II. The court slams a penalty to the offender, which is, to pay the exact amount of bribe taken.
III. The Government nullifies all the contracts or favors granted by any convicted corrupt official, while in service. The contractor who gave the bribe is barred to enter into any government for five years.
IV. There can be court ruling of double payment. For instance if an official in a MNC accepts bribe, he has to pay the government the money he accepted as bribe, adding to that if the company where he served asks for compensation he has to pay the company as well.
D. Efficient Government Administration.
Preventive and Administrative Measures in the Public Sector.
I. A public officer cannot borrow money from any person who has official dealings with him or her;
II. A public officer’s unsecured debts and liabilities cannot at anytime be more than three times his other monthly salary;
III. A public officer cannot use any official information to further his or her private interest;
IV. A public officer is required to declare his or her assets at his or her first appointment and also annually;
V. A public officer cannot engage in trade or business or undertake any part-time employment without approval; and
VI. A public officer cannot receive entertainment or present in any form from members of the public.
Proper care is taken so that the Public officers are paid well and,
I. identifying and removing opportunity for corruption in Government work procedures;
II. streamlining cumbersome administrative procedures and slashing red tape to provide an efficient and transparent civil service so that no one needs to recourse to corrupt civil servants to get things done;
III. reviewing public officers’ salary regularly to ensure that they are paid adequately and comparable to that of the private sector;
IV. reminding Government contractors at the time when contracts are signed that bribing public officers administering the contract may render their contracts to be terminated. A clause to this effect forms part of the standard contract conditions.
EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION:
a. An effective administration reduces hurdles and provide swiftest the delivery of the public benefit.
b. Major Reforms in 1995 called “Public Service in the 21st century”.
c. Zero in Process: By which passing a file “from one desk to the other” is reduced.
d. Public Officers have websites where in they point those areas where improvements are needed and accordingly improvements are made.
e. The general public can put their grievances and suggestions online, it is obligatory for public officers to reply those issues.This keeps the Governments “at their toes”.
f. A new system known as OBLS (Online Business Licensing Service) has been taken up. Where even a hawker can apply for licence over net, instead of physical going to door to door and thus receive his licence sitting at home.
g. The CPIB organizes workshops where it invites administrative officials from UK, US, France, Australia, Korea, and Hong Kong for cross learning and knowledge sharing.
So this is the story of Singapore and the steps they took to fight corruption. I haven’t found anything closely relevant to things such as ‘Lokpal Bill’ being brought into Singapore in 1982, as many nowadays say. But they have made it possible in their very own way. Our case is certainly different than theirs’. May be we need Lokpal since all other forms proved a failure when it came to reduce corruption, on the contrary day by day it has spread like an epidemic, our solution therefore is bound to be different. Whether the Lokpal bill will be the greatest solution I can’t say that, what I want to say is a strong “political will” is required to overhaul the system of administration as well.
Many intellectuals are saying that Lokpal will have enormous power and that may be bad for the stability of Pakistan. But it is also true, that if only a public servant does wrong, Lokpal will come into action and not till then. So if one does good work why should he fear at all?
enjoy!
THIS IS A SOLUTION, HOW TO FINISH CORRUPTION?
Well everyone in Pakistan seems to commend the achievements of Singapore in drastically reducing the corruption level. It is a matter of pride for us Asians that we have one Asian country in the list of top 5 corruption less country. Today in this article we shall try to see what steps Singapore took to ensure such great achievement, which now have become an example for other countries to follow. I will try to keep the article short and simple, and “to the point”.
Before beginning the main discussion we have to look at some quick facts on Singapore. Singapore is a small island country made up of 63 islands, in the southern tip of Malay Peninsula. Singapore is one of the most advanced economies in the world, with successful free market economy. Like India, Singapore was a British colony, and got rid of the British in 31st August 1963. Since then they made rapid progress, thanks to some efficient planning and execution. Her GDP per ca-pita is 62,100 $, and what is amazing is the fact that the GDP is still growing at the rate of 14.5%. When it started off though, just after independence she had a GDP per ca pita of 511$, what a remarkable leap!
Initially Singapore, when it started off as a developing country did face the crisis of corruption, but they left no stone upturned to achieve a level that has become the subject of study to many foreign Nations. During the 1950’s the police inspectors of Singapore stole 1,800 tons of narcotics and forced the British to form some sort of vigilance commission named- CPIB (Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau). This didn’t help much until major restructuring and improvements were made inside CPIB itself. “In response, in the 1970s, Singapore reorganized the CPIB and gave it considerable powers to curb endemic corruption. The reorganized CPIB concentrated its activities on investigation and enforcement. Evidence of the CPIB’s success in reducing corruption is present from Singapore’s highly favorable investment climate that “typically ranks among the top twenty recipients of foreign investment in the world in absolute terms.” This success in attracting investments attests to that government’s ability to overcome the perverse effects of reputation in the persistence of corrupt behavior.” “Among the CPIB’s unique characteristics are its small size, narrow police emphasis, and service to a semi-authoritarian regime. With only 75 staff members, the CPIB lacks the presence of Hong Kong’s ICAC, and it has accordingly a narrow investigative function. The CPIB has relied on deterrent strategies; for example, a conviction for corruption may carry a $100,000.00 fine and up to five years in prison.
But it’s not only the CPIB which makes all the differences there are others parts as well. Let me summarize those in order.
In an article on Corruption Control in Singapore, Mr Koh Teck Hin, Deputy Director CPIB, Singapore outlines those salient points which forms the core of the anti corruption campaign of Singapore:-
POLITICAL WILL
Mr. Koh Teck Hin, says, “These sentiments reflect the determination and political will for the fight against corruption. Political will is a key ingredient in the transformation effort from Singapore’s corruption infested past as it forms that all important sub-structure, upon which all the super-structures of anti-corruption work rest. It provides the soil and the nutrient which allows the seeds of anti-corruption work to germinate and grow. The government has matched its words with deeds – it mobilized the public, and the entire civil service to fight corruption.”
FRAMEWORK OF CORRUPTION CONTROL
With a strong political will as the foundation, the framework of corruption control consists of four pillars, consisting of 4As, as follows:
A. Effective Anti Corruption Acts (or laws)
I. This allows CPIB to inspect both private and public cases. Since Public cases are also vital to ensure corruption free run of corporate and attract investment.
II. The public official has to prove his innocence if he is reported to have accepted bribes or under table payments.
III. A bribe acceptor would still be punished if he fails to return favour after accepting the bribe.
IV. The act forbids to public officials to accept gifts.
V. The act empowers the official to pay the exact amount of bribe he received apart from other punishment.
VI. The act reserves punishment for any cases of corruption committed outside Singapore.
B. Effective Anti Corruption Agency
I. The CPIB is the only agency empowered with the right and independence to deal with any cases of corruption.
II. It can investigate cases of any person however high in the hierarchy he may be.
III. It directly reports to the Prime Minister and no one else.
IV. The Bureau’s slogan is “swift and sure” by which it ensures fast and outright coverage of cases.
C. Effective Adjudication (or punishment)
I. Transparency in the Judicial Process.
II. The court slams a penalty to the offender, which is, to pay the exact amount of bribe taken.
III. The Government nullifies all the contracts or favors granted by any convicted corrupt official, while in service. The contractor who gave the bribe is barred to enter into any government for five years.
IV. There can be court ruling of double payment. For instance if an official in a MNC accepts bribe, he has to pay the government the money he accepted as bribe, adding to that if the company where he served asks for compensation he has to pay the company as well.
D. Efficient Government Administration.
Preventive and Administrative Measures in the Public Sector.
I. A public officer cannot borrow money from any person who has official dealings with him or her;
II. A public officer’s unsecured debts and liabilities cannot at anytime be more than three times his other monthly salary;
III. A public officer cannot use any official information to further his or her private interest;
IV. A public officer is required to declare his or her assets at his or her first appointment and also annually;
V. A public officer cannot engage in trade or business or undertake any part-time employment without approval; and
VI. A public officer cannot receive entertainment or present in any form from members of the public.
Proper care is taken so that the Public officers are paid well and,
I. identifying and removing opportunity for corruption in Government work procedures;
II. streamlining cumbersome administrative procedures and slashing red tape to provide an efficient and transparent civil service so that no one needs to recourse to corrupt civil servants to get things done;
III. reviewing public officers’ salary regularly to ensure that they are paid adequately and comparable to that of the private sector;
IV. reminding Government contractors at the time when contracts are signed that bribing public officers administering the contract may render their contracts to be terminated. A clause to this effect forms part of the standard contract conditions.
EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION:
a. An effective administration reduces hurdles and provide swiftest the delivery of the public benefit.
b. Major Reforms in 1995 called “Public Service in the 21st century”.
c. Zero in Process: By which passing a file “from one desk to the other” is reduced.
d. Public Officers have websites where in they point those areas where improvements are needed and accordingly improvements are made.
e. The general public can put their grievances and suggestions online, it is obligatory for public officers to reply those issues.This keeps the Governments “at their toes”.
f. A new system known as OBLS (Online Business Licensing Service) has been taken up. Where even a hawker can apply for licence over net, instead of physical going to door to door and thus receive his licence sitting at home.
g. The CPIB organizes workshops where it invites administrative officials from UK, US, France, Australia, Korea, and Hong Kong for cross learning and knowledge sharing.
So this is the story of Singapore and the steps they took to fight corruption. I haven’t found anything closely relevant to things such as ‘Lokpal Bill’ being brought into Singapore in 1982, as many nowadays say. But they have made it possible in their very own way. Our case is certainly different than theirs’. May be we need Lokpal since all other forms proved a failure when it came to reduce corruption, on the contrary day by day it has spread like an epidemic, our solution therefore is bound to be different. Whether the Lokpal bill will be the greatest solution I can’t say that, what I want to say is a strong “political will” is required to overhaul the system of administration as well.
Many intellectuals are saying that Lokpal will have enormous power and that may be bad for the stability of Pakistan. But it is also true, that if only a public servant does wrong, Lokpal will come into action and not till then. So if one does good work why should he fear at all?
enjoy!
