View source for Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau

{{Short description|Independent agency of the government of Singapore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname      = Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau
| nativename      = {{nobold|{{native name|ms|Biro Siasatan Amalan Rasuah}}<br />{{native name|zh|贪污调查局}}<br />{{native name|ta|லஞ்ச ஊழல் புலனாய்வுப் பிரிவு}}}}
| abbreviation    = CPIB
| patch           = 
| patchcaption    = 
| logo            = Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau logo.png
| logocaption     = 
| badge           = 
| badgecaption    = 
| flag            = 
| flagcaption     = 
| imagesize       = 
| motto           = 
| mottotranslated = 
| formedmonthday  = 
| formedyear      = {{start date and age|df=yes|1952}}
| preceding1      = Anti-Corruption Branch of the [[Singapore Police Force]]
| country         = Singapore
| constitution1   = Prevention of Corruption Act
| speciality1     = Corruption
| headquarters    = 2 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159047
| minister1name   = [[Lawrence Wong]]
| minister1pfo    = [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]
| chief1name      = Denis Tang
| chief1position  = Director
| parentagency    = [[Prime Minister's Office (Singapore)|Prime Minister's Office]]
| website         = {{URL|www.cpib.gov.sg}}
| footnotes       = 
| reference       = 
}}

The '''Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau''' ('''CPIB''') is an independent agency of the [[Government of Singapore]] responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible serious or complex [[fraud]] and [[corruption]] in [[Singapore]]. The CPIB has the mandate to investigate into any acts or forms of corruption in the public and private sectors in Singapore, and in the course of doing so, any other offences under any written law, with the [[powers of arrest]].<ref name="CPIB">{{cite web |title=Roles & Functions |url=https://www.cpib.gov.sg/who-we-are/our-work/roles-functions/ |website=www.cpib.gov.sg |publisher=CPIB |access-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924191148/https://www.cpib.gov.sg/who-we-are/our-work/roles-functions/ |archive-date=24 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

The CPIB has been credited for being one of the main contributors to the transformation of Singapore into one of the least corrupt nations in the world,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hin |first1=Koh Teck |title=Corruption Control In Singapore |url=https://www.unafei.or.jp/publications/pdf/RS_No83/No83_17VE_Koh1.pdf |website=unafei.or.jp |publisher=United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> additionally being the most transparent in the whole of [[Asia]] as per indexes such as the [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] (CPI).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sun |first1=David |title=Singapore ranked least corrupt Asian country and fifth overall of 180 countries and territories |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-ranked-least-corrupt-asian-country-but-overall-score-slides-to-lowest-since-2012 |website=The Straits Times |access-date=13 July 2023 |language=en |date=31 January 2023}}</ref>

==History==
Formerly known as the '''Anti Corruption Branch''' ('''ACB''') within the [[Singapore Police Force]] (SPF), the CPIB was first established in 1952 as an independent agency under the purview of the [[Attorney-General of Singapore|attorney-general]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Liew |first=Clement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oO-aEAAAQBAJ&q=cpib+singapore |title=Scrupulous, Thorough, Fearless: The Cpib Story |date=20 September 2022 |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=978-981-12-6725-3 |language=en}}</ref> Having been under the purview of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] (MHA) during its earlier years, the agency remained under the purview of the attorney-general until it was transferred to the [[Prime Minister's Office (Singapore)|Prime Minister's Office]] (PMO) in 1969.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stapenhurst |first1=Rick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pG2uSGAm2vQC&dq=cpib+singapore&pg=PA138 |title=The Role of Parliament in Curbing Corruption |last2=Johnston |first2=Niall |last3=Pelizzo |first3=Riccardo |date=1 January 2006 |publisher=World Bank Publications |isbn=978-0-8213-6724-7 |language=en}}</ref> 

==Legal framework==

Enacted on 17 June 1960, the ''Prevention of Corruption Act'' (PCA) is the primary anti-corruption law in Singapore. The following are provided for under the PCA:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpib.gov.sg/about-corruption/prevention-of-corruption-act|title=www.cpib.gov.sg/about-corruption/prevention-of-corruption-act}}</ref>

* Powers for the CPIB to investigate bribery in all forms, both monetary and non-monetary in nature, and in both the public and private sectors;
* Extraterritorial powers for the CPIB to deal with corrupt acts committed by a Singapore citizen outside Singapore as though these were committed in Singapore;
* Fine of up to S$100,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding 5 years, or to both, for each count of corruption;
* Fine of up to S$100,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding 7 years, or to both, for each count of corruption in relation to a contract or a proposal for a contract with the Government;
* Presumption where any gratification given or received by a person in the employment of the Government or of a public body is deemed corrupt, and the burden of proof to rebut the presumption lies with the person;
* Forfeiture of gratification received in the form of a penalty equivalent to the amount of bribes received upon conviction; and
* Non-disclosure of the name or address of any informer, or any matter which might lead to the discovery of the informer's identity.

The CPIB also operates with functional independence from the police and nominally from the government, and is headed by a director who reports directly to the Prime Minister but may also additionally report to the President, especially if the former refuses to give consent for a formal investigation or there's a potential case against the Prime Minister themselves.<ref name="CPIB"/><ref name=:"CNA"/>

The agency may also, in the course of its investigations, come across cases which reveal corruption-prone areas or loopholes in procedures in government departments. Based on its findings, CPIB may review the department concerned and recommend changes in their procedures. In addition to its primary function of investigating corruption offences, the CPIB also undertakes public education and community outreach efforts relating to anti-corruption.<ref name="CPIB"/><ref name=:"CNA"/>

The director of the CPIB can also report to the [[President of Singapore|president]] if the prime minister refuses any investigation or prosecution to be taken place.<ref name=":&quot;CNA&quot;">{{cite web |last1=Tang |first1=Louisa |title=How did CPIB come about and what powers does it have in investigating corruption in Singapore? |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/cpib-corrupt-practices-investigation-bureau-powers-iswaran-ong-beng-seng-3626341 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714221307/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/cpib-corrupt-practices-investigation-bureau-powers-iswaran-ong-beng-seng-3626341 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |access-date=15 July 2023 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>

==Cases==
In April 2019, the CPIB reported that it received 358 corruption-related reports, and registered 107 new cases for investigation in 2018. Cases involving the private sector continued to form the majority, or 88%, of all new cases registered for investigation by the CPIB in 2018. The conviction rate remained high, averaging 98% from 2014 to 2018. The CPIB is committed to fight corruption with resolve, by strengthening its interview tradecraft, intelligence and investigative support capabilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corruption Situation in Singapore Firmly Under Control |url=https://www.cpib.gov.sg/press-room/press-releases/050522-corruption |website=www.cpib.gov.sg |publisher=CPIB |access-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505104255/https://www.cpib.gov.sg/press-room/press-releases/050522-corruption |archive-date=5 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Notable cases ===
Some notable cases tackled by the CPIB are the operation against Chap Ji Kee lottery syndicates,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1 December 2022 |title=How crime-riddled Singapore cleaned up its act and rooted out corruption |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3201542/how-singapore-got-rid-corruption-and-cleaned-its-act-illustrated-step-step-graftbusters-trail |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> the corruption trial against Minister of State [[Wee Toon Boon]] and the investigation of Minister [[Teh Cheang Wan]].<ref name=":0" />

The latest high profile case involved former Transport Minister [[S. Iswaran]].

==See also==
*[[Corruption in Singapore]]
* [[Law of Singapore]]
* [[Law enforcement in Singapore]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.cpib.gov.sg/ Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau] – Official website

{{Corruption}}
{{Government of Singapore}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Government agencies established in 1952]]
[[Category:1952 establishments in Singapore]]
[[Category:Organisations of the Singapore Government|CPIB]]
[[Category:Law enforcement agencies of Singapore]]
[[Category:Anti-corruption agencies|CPIB]]