Probe into Brompton bikes included all inputs, says Khaw Boon Wan

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said investigations into NParks’ purchase of the $2,200 Brompton foldable bicycles for staff considered all inputs.

These included observations from the online media.

He said netizens had shared information on the various types of foldable bikes and their price range.

Some also observed that the NParks officer involved in the purchase and the successful bidder were Facebook "friends".

But this, he said, was not the key factor in referring the case to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Mr Khaw said: "Audit Team working with NParks’ management had earlier examined the officer’s Facebook and had noted over 300 Facebook "friends", among whom was not only the successful bidder but the other bike suppliers as well.

"What was material to our decision to refer the case to the CPIB investigation were some disclosures by certain parties interviewed by the Audit Team. These critical facts were duly reported to the CPIB. The CPIB investigations are still on—going. We should observe the due process of the law to allow all facts of the case to be surfaced in due course before passing any judgement."

— CNA/de