Louis Chua on Keppel corruption case: Non-prosecution of 6 involved could harm Singapore’s reputation

SINGAPORE — Several Members of Parliament, including Workers’ Party MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC), raised questions last week in Parliament regarding the Keppel Offshore and Marine bribery case. These questions were addressed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Indranee Rajah, on Feb 6.

However, in a Facebook post on Sunday (Feb 12), Mr. Chua expressed concerns that the decision not to prosecute the six individuals involved in the case could harm Singapore’s reputation more than the actions of the Government-linked company itself.

Mr. Chua had questioned the decision to issue stern warnings rather than prosecuting the six individuals, asking about the factors considered in the decision, such as the culpability of each individual, the available evidence, and how consistent the decision was with Singapore’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption.

In response, the Public Prosecutor had determined that there was insufficient evidence, either documentary or through witnesses, to establish any criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt against specific individuals. Ms. Rajah emphasized that the decision adheres to Singapore’s rule of law while maintaining the country’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.

Mr. Chua also asked what offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960 were considered for prosecution and what the maximum penalties would have been. Ms. Rajah responded that relevant potential offenses were taken into account but did not provide further details on the specific charges.

In supplementary questions, Mr. Chua inquired whether the individuals involved had authorized or been aware of the bribes and what actions they took with this knowledge. Ms. Rajah stated that she did not have details on the investigation’s findings but noted that the six individuals had not made any admissions.

The case continues to draw attention, with concerns raised about its potential impact on Singapore’s reputation for integrity and transparency.