Commentary: Iswaran’s jail sentence could help affirm Singapore’s clean reputation

HOW WE DO Points IN SINGAPORE

The private business and the public market would have to work together in this case, which had raised concerns. However, the approach and effects of this situation should not be overstated.

The common sector’s practiced practice must be one of arm’s length trading. This should not cause either party to be unable to cooperate effectively. &nbsp, Valuable items have no area where open field decision-making is concerned. That has always been apparent.

Some may find Singapore’s approach to public sector dignity, such as the gift giving or receiving, to be excessively elegant and leave room for typical practices and business tenets abroad.

In fact, a gift may not be the end all of itself, but rather a preface to more serious crimes like corruption.

Our approach works well for us and, more importantly, enjoys open validity. Finally, public trust and confidence in our common institutions is non-negotiable and must not be taken for granted.

If items are needed to “lubricate” standard dealings, we would be on our approach down where benevolence is concerned. And where presents are essential, there are historic and obvious rules on what therefore needs to be done, including making the necessary pronouncement and/or recusal from decision-making.

The fact of Segment 165 is to prevent putting oneself, as a public servant, in a position of a conflict of interest, whether true, visible, or ability, in formal dealings. This is a very important rule to follow if we want to keep the public’s trust and confidence in our public corporations. The thick charges, surprising to some, handed down to Iswaran reinforces this.

Previous Nominated Member of Parliament and associate professor of law at Singapore Management University Eugene K. B. Tan