Commentators in Singapore have highlighted two cases which they say uncovers a double standard in the controversy over whether Public Servants should be allowed to moonlight at second jobs.
They highlight the case of a Singapore Army Staff fined $S2,000 ($A2,229) for using an app to solicit customers for fare-paying rides without approval.
“The sergeant was not engaged in any illicit activity or indulging in corruption, but was simply trying to supplement his income,” they say.
They contrast this with the case of Member of Parliament, Tin Pei Ling, who was appointed Director of Public Affairs and Policy at Grab, South-East Asia’s leading app company.
Ms Tin (pictured) maintains she keeps her roles as a Parliamentarian and at Grab distinct, with clear rules of engagement to avoid conflicts of interest.
However, she was eventually redeployed to another appointment by Grab due to the public outcry over the matter.
Investigative journalist, Terry Xu says this raises an essential question — “how can lower-level Civil Servants be barred from even minor income-generating activities while their higher-ranking counterparts can maintain lucrative roles in private companies?”
“To ordinary Civil Servants, such actions appear unjust. A sizeable portion of Singapore’s Civil Service is likely struggling to supplement their meagre incomes, yet they’re met with reprimands for taking up part-time employment,” Mr Xu said.
“On the other hand, high-level Civil Servants, who are already earning sizeable salaries, can secure high-paying side jobs seemingly without repercussions or issues.”
He said there was a pressing need for the handling of moonlighting in Singapore’s Public Service to be subject to greater transparency, consistency, and fairness.
Singapore, 9 June 2023
