No texto a seguir, veremos sobre como Singapura combateu a corrupção. O material foi feito para o nível C1.
Preparation
What do you know about Singapore?
Is it possible to control corruption?
General information about Singapore
Location: Southeast Asia, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula.
Size: One of the smallest countries, with a total area of about 728.6 square kilometers.
Population: Around 5.7 million.
Economy: Highly developed, free-market economy. Known for finance, technology, and manufacturing.
Government: Parliamentary republic.
Official Languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil.
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD).
Climate: Tropical rainforest climate, with no distinctive seasons, uniform temperature, and high humidity.
Cultural Diversity: Multiracial and multicultural society.
Independence: Became independent from Malaysia in 1965.
Listening
Reading
In the 1950s, Singapore, much like many young nations, was grappling with widespread corruption. The scenario was pretty grim: police officers taking bribes as casually as they would sip their morning kopi (that's coffee in Singapore!), and civil servants turning their offices into little fiefdoms of graft. Imagine a place where you had to slip a few extra dollars just to get your mail delivered on time!
Then, in 1959, things started to change when the People's Action Party, led by the legendary Lee Kuan Yew, came into power. He knew that for Singapore to succeed, it needed to clean up its act, and fast.
So, in 1960, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau was empowered. Picture the CPIB as the superhero of this story – with the power to conduct searches, make arrests, and investigate anyone, regardless of their position.
But here's the kicker: Lee Kuan Yew made sure that the anti-corruption drive was more than just a show for the public. He walked the talk. High-ranking officials, including ministers and members of his own party, were not spared if they were caught in corrupt practices. This sent a clear message: In Singapore, nobody was above the law.
Additionally, Singapore focused on paying its civil servants well. This move, quite cleverly, reduced the temptation for taking bribes. This transformation wasn't just about laws and enforcement; it was about changing mindsets and building a culture where corruption is viewed as unacceptable.
Glossary
Fiefdoms of graft: "fiefdoms" suggests small, controlled areas similar to medieval fiefs, and "graft" means corruption.
Walk the talk: Be the example
Grim: unpleasant, depressing, and difficult to accept
Grappling: kind of fight that involves a lot of holding like BJJ, Judo and Wrestling.
Here's the kicker: something unexpected.
Sip: put a small amount of liquid in the mouth and swallow.
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