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I've heard this theory quite a few times, but the fact that there is virtually zero low-level corruption (eg. cops asking for bribes) despite low-level public s
by jpatokal 12y ago
I've heard this theory quite a few times, but the fact that there is virtually zero low-level corruption (eg. cops asking for bribes) despite low-level public salaries being quite low doesn't jibe that well with this.
More disturbingly, despite that high pay there are regular reports of corruption in the highest ranks, only a few of which even see the light. Here's one particularly unedifying saga that only made the news because the head honcho of a government-linked charity, paid $600k/year plus stupidly generous expenses (fleet of 8 cars etc), was foolish enough to sue a state-owned newspaper.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Kidney_Foundation_Singapore_scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Kidney_Foundation_Sin...
- narrator 12y agoThey are ranked 7th best in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index which is just about the most objective measure of relative country corruption out there so you can't really objectively say that they are just as corrupt as everybody else. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index#2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index#20...
- jpatokal 12y agoUh, I actually said is "there is virtually zero low-level corruption", which is entirely in line with that. I'm just taking exception to the rather glib claim that high salaries eliminate corruption at higher levels, because quite clearly they do not, even in Singapore. But this is not the kind of thing that affects perceptions in day-to-day life, while the Malaysian cop asking for an on-the-spot fine or the Indonesian immigration dude finding a "mistake" in your visa does.