Daily Lessons from Life 20 August 2013 - CPIB assistant director accused of embezzling over $1.7m engages defence counsel

"CPIB assistant director accused of embezzling over $1.7m engages defence counsel - The Straits Times Aug 20, 2013 SINGAPORE - Mr Tan Hee Jeok, the lawyer representing CPIB assistant director Edwin Yeo Seow Hionh, asked the court for a four-week adjournment so that representations can be made to the Attorney Generals Chambers. Notes: The assistant director Edwin Yeo Seow Hiong from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was charged for misappropriating at least $1.7 million between 2008 and 2012. CPIB first uncovered the alleged wrong-doing in Sept 2012. The matter was reported to the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force, as the accused was a CPIB officer and the alleged financial impropriety could have amounted to a criminal offence. This was to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation." I am glad, just as I was when the other 2 corruption cases against senior civil servants, that the defendant has engaged lawyer(s) to ensure the public gets to hear the stories behind such crimes. Lessons for me are: 1. hope to learn what happened and WHY would someone in that position risked it all?; 2. that having the casinos with the IRs is worth taking in some of these 'unintended' collateral damages of well educated, smart and 'scrutinized' senior civil servants falling preys to the potentially totally corruptive power of 'addictive gambling'; 3. that the civil service does have a comprehensive check-and-balance system to flush out such abuses on a timely basis in future learning from this case and other 'should or could have discovered earlier' cases? May the trial begin and the truth be told so that Singaporeans can learn more, reflect and decide if our system is good enough or need further improvement!