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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Briefings

Anything of value: Is Singapore providing a new definition?

2 May 2013

Singapore is generally known for its low risk of corruption, consistently ranking among the top five countries in Transparency International’s Annual Corruption Perception Index. One of the reasons for this strong showing is Singapore’s willingness to prosecute a wide range of conduct aimed at gaining an unfair advantage. In particular, in the last year, the Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (the “CPIB“) has enthusiastically enforced its anti-corruption laws where the alleged gratification accepted was in the form of sexual favours.


Other jurisdictions could do so as well based on the language of their anti-corruption laws, which contemplate both tangible and intangible benefits. To date, however, while prosecutions have included a laundry list of things of value offered as bribes, particularly in Asia Pacific countries, the number of actual prosecutions alleging corruption in exchange for
sex do not approach that of Singapore.

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