27/07/2015

Business and Rules of Prudence

In 2011, PAP secretary general, Lee Hsien Loong, issued a seven-page code of conduct guideline for PAP MPs, which stipulate the accepted behaviour of the elected members, including their involvement with businesses and endorsements of companies and firms.

As MPs, you will come across many different sorts of people. Some will be altruistic, public spirited people who will help you without wanting anything in return, spending their time and money to get community projects going and to serve your residents. But a few will cultivate you in order to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour. Gift hampers on festive occasions, entertainment, and personal favours big and small are just a few of countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them.

You must be able to distinguish between these two groups of people, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to you. At all times you must be seen to be beyond the influence of gifts or favours.

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PAP MPs told to follow ‘rules of prudence’
PAP MPs are told how to act prudently to uphold the party's reputation. (Facebook photo)

The Prime Minister's Office issued on Friday a letter laying down the rules on how the People's Action Party's (PAP's) Members of Parliament should behave.

In the seven-page letter released to media, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed out that the PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government was one of the party's most precious assets, and that every MP of the party "must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them".

He also noted that the recently-concluded General Election has shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed, and that the government will have to significantly improve outreach to the voters.

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Industry awards: Farce or fortune?
ST ILLUSTRATION: ADAM LEE

The awards come with impressive titles such as "Singapore's Outstanding Enterprises" and "Industry Stars". And recipients attend lavish dinners at top hotels like Marina Bay Sands, where they receive certificates emblazoned with the Singapore lion head symbol from MPs and even junior ministers.

But there is a catch.

The awards are neither handed out by industry associations nor officially endorsed by government bodies. Instead, they are created by private firms with award winners having to fork out as much as $10,000 for publicity and dinners.

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Business awards not a scam, says organiser
Singapore Enrich Group chief executive Alex Yeo says the increase in the number of awards was to meet customers' demand.ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

The man whose company runs the largest collection of business awards in Singapore has spoken up to defend his business.

"We are a legitimate business, not a scam," said Mr Alex Yeo, chief executive of the Singapore Enrich Group, which has created 10 business awards such as the Singapore Excellence Award and the Singapore Trusted Quality Brand.

He made the remarks after a Sunday Times report identified him as the biggest player in the unregulated business of creating and handing out "industry" awards.

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“Top” Singapore Business Awards a Big Scam Beyond the MPs and Glitzy Titles?

“We are a legitimate business, not a scam,” says Mr Alex Yeo, the chief executive of the Singapore Enrich Group.

SEG gas has created 10 business awards such as the Singapore Excellence Award and the Singapore Trusted Quality Brand and runs the largest collection of business awards in Singapore. SEG is the biggest player in the unregulated business of creating and handing out “industry” awards.

These awards are not handed out by industry associations or endorsed by government bodies. Instead, they are created by private firms. In the past four years, at least seven MPs have attended dinners organised by SEG, in which they give out the awards.

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LOCAL MPS REPORTED BY SUNDAY TIMES FOR GIVING OUT CONTROVERSIAL AWARDS TO COMPANIES

The man whose company runs the largest collection of business awards in Singapore has spoken up to defend his business.

"We are a legitimate business, not a scam," said Mr Alex Yeo, chief executive of the Singapore Enrich Group, which has created 10 business awards such as the Singapore Excellence Award and the Singapore Trusted Quality Brand.

He made the remarks after a Sunday Times report identified him as the biggest player in the unregulated business of creating and handing out "industry" awards.

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PAP MPs’ attendance at “sham” awards events raises questions
SEG Awards

At least seven members of parliament (MP) have graced dinner events, with some presenting awards at such dinners, organised by the Singapore Enrich Group (SEG).

SEG, which is headed by chief executive officer Alex Yeo, has been in the spotlight since the Sunday Times highlighted its business model – which is to charge companies a fee for being presented with an award and for publicity costs.

And as for the awards themselves, they are created by SEG with titles such as: “Singapore’s Outstanding Enterprises” and “Industry Stars”.

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Beware of "Award" Scam in Singapore

Beware of this business scam using dubious Award to deceive you into believing that you have been nominated and won an Award. My recent encounter with a company named Singapore Enrich Group Pte Ltd has been an alarm to me that many SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) might possibility being the victim of this scam Awards.

I would like to share this story and alert the business community, members of parliament, and entrepreneurs to beware and report to police accordingly.

My Story - The story began when I received a call on Friday, May 8, 2015, and notificed me that my company UniqArts and Technologies has been nominated as TOP 100 companies as Singapore Excellence Award. This call is from a senior project officer from:

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States Times Review apologise to PAP MP Lee Bee Wah

Dear PAP MP Lee Bee Wah, States Times Review (STR) is an independent and neutral site that reports without fear or favour. Unfortunately, a recent article has caught your attention that made you attacked the site’s integrity. STR is a responsible media which prides itself above the Singapore Press Holdings, and the editor myself is very particular about credibility. Allegations of misreporting, especially coming from a Member of Parliament, is very damaging to the site.

Therefore, States Times Review (STR) officially apologise for any distress the recent article has caused you. The reports have been factual and not a political smear. STR have every faith in the integrity and incorruptibility of our PAP MPs especially for the hardworking ones like yourself. It will do STR no service to spread lies and falsehoods, and this is not the purpose why I set up this site for.

Henceforth, STR would like to clear your name in this article, by simply asking some questions to better clarify any misunderstandings and dispel falsehoods spreading on the internet:

related:
PAP MP Lee Bee Wah: States Times Review’s article is malicious and full of falsehoods
PAP Yishun MP Lee Bee Wah’s company contracts Yishun HDB construction
LBW Consultant LLP

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Er Dr Lee Bee Wah FB Jul 21 at 1.52am edited
Screenshot from Facebook

There is an article, full of falsehoods, which has been circulating about LBW Consultants LLP (LBW). It is an old article, which Mr Alex Tan (who stood as a candidate in 2011 GE) has been trying to recirculate. The article suggests, falsely, some impropriety in the awarding of the HDB contract to LBW for Khatib Court.

LBW tendered openly for 11 HDB projects in 2013. It was successful in two of the projects, including Khatib Court. The tender was carried out fairly and transparently. To suggest otherwise is malicious.

LBW Consultants LLP was acquired by Meinhardt Group International in January 2014, given its track record.

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LBW structurally certifies HDB flats in her own ward

Khatib Court is a HDB BTO project launched in September 2013 [Link]. It is sited next to the Khatib MRT station. The development consists of two 14-storey residential blocks and offers 310 units of Studio Apartments and 3-room flats. The expected completion date is in 2nd quarter of 2017.

Specifically, it is located at Yishun Neighbourhood 8, part of Nee Soon South ward. Nee Soon South generally encompasses Yishun Neighbourhood 8 (Khatib), part of Neighbourhood 7 and private residential areas along Sembawang Road (near Sembawang Army Camp).

Nee Soon South used to be an SMC but was absorbed into Ang Mo Kio GRC in 1997 after SDP narrowly lost there in 1991 GE. It remained in Ang Mo Kio GRC till 2011 GE when it was merged together with other wards in Yishun to form the present Nee Soon GRC.

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MP Lee Bee Wah defends her company’s involvement in a project in her constituency
Lee Bee Wah, MP

People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency, Lee Bee Wah, has defended her company’s involvement in a construction project in Yishun.

Ms Lee is the Principal Partner and a director in LBW Consultant LLP, a consultancy firm which “[provides] high quality Civil, Structural, Project Management and golf course design services”, its website says.

LBW Consultant LLP had bid for 11 projects in 2013, and had won two of them, including the one for Khatib Court.

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Admiralty CCC Chairman resigns over irregularities
Auditor-General (AGO) has just released its report for the Financial Year 2014/15 [Link]. It was submitted to the President Tony Tan on 1 Jul 2015.

AGO conducts its audits on a test check basis. As such, they do not necessary reveal all irregularities and weaknesses. However, they should help to uncover some of the serious lapses.

In the audit of the People’s Association (PA), AGO said that it found instances where training operators were engaged directly by grassroots organisations (GROs) without calling competitive bids. In doing so, there was no assurance that the GROs were able to obtain the most advantageous bids, it said.


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