Level-Playing Field in Businesses Marred by Corruption
Businesses should have a level-playing field to advance their interests and engage in honest competition. Those who resort to corrupt means to get ahead will face the consequences under the law.
2. On 3 June 2020, Song Loo San, (宋如山, a 70-year-old Singaporean male), a Senior Marketing Manager of ATI Freight Pte (“ATI”), was charged with three counts of corruptly giving gratifications amounting to a total of USD$27,300 to one Heng Chee Gim, a Marine Logistics Manager of Sasol Chemicals Pacific Ltd (“Sasol”), as reward for advancing the business interests of ATI with Sasol. These offences which occurred over at least 34 occasions between January 2016 and October 2018 are punishable under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241. The charges are amalgamated accordingly, pursuant to Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.
3. Correspondingly, Heng Chee Gim, (王志锦, 46-year-old Singaporean male), was charged with three counts of corruptly accepting gratifications amounting to a total of USD$27,300 from Song, as reward for advancing the business interests of ATI with Sasol, offences punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241. The charges are amalgamated accordingly, pursuant to Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 68.
4. Companies are strongly advised to put in place an anti-bribery management system to reduce the incidence of corruption. Guidance for companies on measures to prevent corruption can be found in PACT: A Practical Anti-Corruption Guide for Businesses in Singapore, which is available on CPIB’s website. Companies are also strongly encouraged to obtain certification under the Singapore Standard (SS) ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems, which is designed to help companies implement or enhance an anti-bribery management system to reduce corporate risk and reputational costs.
Reference Links:
Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau