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Opposition member Lina Chiam on CPIB case: Revise gov't policy of high salaries

Lina Chiam has been elected as Chairman of SPP. (Yahoo! photo/ Alicia Wong)

The Chairman of Singapore People’s Party (SPP), Lina Chiam, is the first opposition member to comment on the recent graft case involving a senior officer in the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Edwin Yeo Seow Hiong, 39, was charged for misappropriating a total of S$1.76 million on Wednesday, and was released later that evening with a bail of S$500,000. His passport was impounded.
 
Chiam, who is also a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP), released a statement on the opposition party’s website, which also referred to other recent corruption-related offences among civil servants.
 
In the statement, Chiam had “urgently” asked the government to fight corruption by tightening its system. In particular, she called for a revision of the government policy of paying high salaries to mitigate corruption in the public and civil service.

Chiam said, "We urge the government to prioritise a ‘stick’ approach, rather than a ‘carrot’ approach, in tackling corruption. Corruption can only be deterred if the penalties are costlier than the potential bribe received. This should begin with imposing tougher penalties for offences such as asset misappropriation."

She asked, "Who will guard the guardians themselves against corruption?"