The purchase of 26 foldable Brompton bikes by the National Parks
Board (NParks) has been reported to the Corrupt Practices
Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
The Straits Times reported that the Ministry of National
Development (MND) confirmed to the paper that it reported the
matter to the CPIB.
The officer in charge of the deal, assistant director of the Park
Connector Network Mr Bernard Lim, has been suspended until further
notice.
The ministry also said Mr Khaw Boon Wan had told a ministry
internal audit team to work with NParks to review the purchase of
the bicycles.
The amount spent of the purchase raised some eyebrows, with many
Singaporeans questioning if the Brompton bikes, costing $2,200
each, were too expensive.
NParks had bought the foldable British-brand bikes for its officers
to use on patrols.
Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan had earlier
defended the purchase of the bicycles but called for an audit to be
carried out last month to review the purchase to ascertain NParks'
justification and to see if its procurement process could be
improved.
The audit found that "the reasons for purchasing the foldable bikes
to enhance work productivity of NParks field staff were valid", but
"it had also uncovered some discrepancies which, although
inconclusive by themselves, suggested the possibility of bias in
the procurement."
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120725-361271.html
http://app.cpib.gov.sg/cpib_new/user/default.aspx?pgID=21&action=clear
Organisation Structure
The CPIB is
under the charge of the Prime Minister's
Office.
http://app.cpib.gov.sg/cpib_new/user/default.aspx?pgID=123
