MND suspends NParks officer in charge of buying foldable bikes

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120724-0000140/MND-suspends-NParks-officer-in-charge-of-buying-foldable-bikes

The Ministry of National Development (MND) has suspended the National Parks Board (NParks) officer in charge of procuring the 26 S$2,200 foldable bicycles that sparked off controversy earlier this month.

In a statement issued this evening, the MND said an internal audit ordered by National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan last month "uncovered some discrepancies which, although inconclusive by themselves, suggested the possibility of bias in the procurement".

This so, even though the reasons for buying the bikes to enhance work productivity were "valid", said the MND.

The internal audit came after a report on the purchase on June 22. The audit team was tasked to review the purchase and to ascertain NParks' justification and see if its procurement process could be improved.

"MND has decided that the discrepancies were significant and warrant further investigation," the ministry said.