High standards of conduct expected of all public servants: Chan

Obtaining valuable gifts unacceptable as it undermines integrity of the Govt, he says

- Goh Yan Han

High standards of conduct are expected of all public servants, said Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing on Oct 14.

In Singapore, it is not acceptable for a public servant to accept or obtain gifts from a person whom he or she has official dealings with.

Otherwise, public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the Government would be undermined, Mr Chan added.

"This is also the ethos Singaporeans would expect of leaders in all organisations, whether private or public," said Mr Chan, who is also Education Minister.

He was responding in Parliament, on behalf of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to questions raised by several MPs on the application of Section 165 of the Penal Code and its impact on the wider public service.

Earlier in October, former transport minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months' jail after pleading guilty to five charges, including four under Section 165 for obtaining valuable items as a public servant.

Workers' Party MP Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) asked whether the definition of a public servant under the Penal Code was fit for purpose for an offence under Section 165, and if Singapore's anti-corruption laws should be reviewed for greater efficacy.