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Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean replied to questions on the recent match-fixing scandals in Parliament on Monday.

DPM Teo explained that match-fixing, like drug trafficking is an organised crime and that witnesses are fearful and unwilling to testify against the culprits, hence the need for the detention orders that were issued for four Singaporeans arrested in a recent swoop.

He also added that it was inherently difficult to secure evidence and witnesses for criminal activity that extends beyond Singapore.

Mr Teo also stated that measures were in place to ensure match-fixing does not take root in Singapore. He said that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) work closely with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to hold regular talks and administer random polygraph tests on Singapore-based players.

He revealed that 10 cases of corruption in football were investigated by the CPIB in the last 10 years, with six resulting in convictions, three were given stern warnings while one case saw no further action being taken.

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