17 NEA staff, 14 funeral service employees given stern warnings over red packet practice at Mandai crematorium: CPIB
SINGAPORE — A total of 33 people, including public servants, have been taken to task over a practice of giving and receiving red packets in exchange for preferential services at Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium.
In a media statement on Thursday (19 September), the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), said it was notified in October last year of the practice – which involved employees of funeral services companies giving environmental health attendants working for the National Environment Agency (NEA) red packets.
Two senior NEA officers who were fully aware of the practice yet failed to report it faced departmental disciplinary action, said CPIB.
Meanwhile, 17 environmental health attendants were each given stern warnings for accepting bribes from funeral directors and hearse drivers at the crematorium.
The attendants also faced departmental disciplinary action for violating the Public Service Instruction Manual, which states that they are not allowed to accept gifts and entertainment in their official capacity.
A total of 12 workers from various funeral services companies were also each given stern warnings for giving kickbacks in the form of a red packet to an agent from NEA. Two other such workers were given stern warnings for abetting in the offences.
In its statement, CPIB said the warnings were administered after it completed its investigations into the case and in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The anti-graft body said it evaluates all complaints seriously, regardless of the value or nature of the bribes involved. CPIB also advised members of the public not to give gifts or entertainment to public servants in return for favours.
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