by Ganesh Sahathevan
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that "staying clean and incorrupt" is fundamental to his Peoples Action Party retaining the trust of the people of Singapore.
Meanwhile Singtel-Optus, which is controlled by Singapore Government wealth fund Temasek, has declared that it cannot see any reason to dismiss its managing director Gladys Berejiklian who was recently found to have been "seriously corrupt" while serving as premier New South Wales.
Optus has said:
: "Optus acknowledges the (NSW Independent Commission against Corruption) report published in relation to Gladys Berejiklian’s time serving as a member of the NSW Parliament. We refer you to Gladys’ media statement and have no further comment to make."
On Tuesday 19 July 2023 ,the day after Lee made his declaration above, iTWire asked Optus whether Berejiklian would continue to work with the company or not.
An Optus spokesperson responded: "We have nothing further to add to our original statement."
TO BE READ WITH
Friday, June 30, 2023
"Seriously corrupt" Gladys Berejiklian's appointment and continued employment at Singtel-Optus likely incompatible with Singtel Group Anti-Bribery And Corruption Policy
by Ganesh Sahathevan
Singtel-Optus has said with regards the corruption finding against its newly appointed Managing Director Gladys Berejiklian that it " acknowledges the ICAC report published in relation to Gladys Berejiklian’s time serving as a member of the NSW Parliament" .
It is easy to see, in light of the Singtel Group Anti-Bribery And Corruption Policy, why that particular form of words has been utilised. The Singtel Group Anti-Bribery And Corruption Policy is clearly aimed at conduct of employees within the company, but reading it as if it does not apply to someone in Berejiklian's position is naive, foolish and if not disingenuous.
To begin with Singtel adopts a zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption" in any form as set out in the Singtel Code of Conduct and reflected in its Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy (“ABC Policy”).The policy applies to overseas Singtel entities, and that would include Singtel-Optus.
On the strength of that declaration alone Berejiklian's appointment, and now continued employment would be contrary to policy.
Then, Singtel says:
1.3 We must at all times comply with the ABC Policy and all relevant anti-bribery and corruption laws including the Singapore Prevention of Corruption Act, the UK Bribery Act, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Australian Criminal Code Act (and equivalent state legislation), and other similar anti- bribery laws where we do business.
Continuing to employ someone who has been found to be "seriously corrupt" pursuant to the provisions of other similar anti- bribery laws where we do business which would include the NSW ICAC provisions, must surely be inconsistent with that policy
As a business lead or function head Berejiklian will also have to:
ensure all employees in her sector, function or line of business are aware of the need to comply with this ABC Policy, and receive regular messages from the line management reminding them to comply;
report as soon as possible any suspected breaches of this ABC Policy;
ensure l records are accurate, complete and accessible for review, including records relating to commissions, travel and entertainment.
How someone who has been found to have been "seriously corrupt" for not disclosing a conflict of interest and who a former Auditor General said should have resigned for shredding documents might be appointed to a position with those requirements defies logic.
END
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