Monday, 8 January 2018

Keppel Offshore & Marine Corruption Probe

There are 2 levels to the Keppel corruption probe: at the company level and at the individuals' level.

At the individuals' level, the probe is not over yet. Investigations are ongoing. 




Given that the case involved several Brazil-based projects dating back to 2001, many evidences, including documents and witnesses, are located in different jurisdictions.

AGC is seeking assistance for evidence from authorities in these jurisdictions.

According to Senior Minister of State for Finance and Law Indranee Rajah, “AGC has asked for certain information from them and some of its requests are still pending. AGC anticipates that further requests will have to be made as the investigations develop.”

The AGC is also working on a request for mutual legal assistance, revealed Ms Indranee. This is a procedure whereby one country formally seeks assistance from another to obtain or secure evidence for use in its own investigations and proceedings.

How fast investigations can proceed depends on the courts of the jurisdictions in which these requests are made.

Ms Indranee also said that not all aspects of the investigations are within our control as this is an "international case" involving several foreign investigating agencies.

“Only after the investigations are completed can the AGC properly assess the case and decide on the appropriate response. This is something for the Public Prosecutor to decide, independently.”

It is “standard practice” in Singapore and many other jurisdictions to not identify individuals under criminal investigation so as not to prejudice either the investigations or the persons being investigated depending on how the investigation might turn out.

“Individuals will be identified if and when charges are preferred in court,” Ms Indranee said.

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