Version: 1.0 Adopted: 08/08/2025 Review Date: 08/08/2025 [if required]
1. Purpose
✓ To provide a formal, secure, and confidential channel for anyone (members, officials, staff, volunteers, umpires, and other stakeholders) to report concerns about wrongdoing, misconduct, or potential breaches of laws, policies or ethical standards in SCA.
✓ To ensure that concerns are properly investigated and addressed, while protecting whistleblowers from retaliation or victimisation.
✓ To promote a culture of transparency, accountability, integrity, and trust within SC.
2. Scope
This regulation applies to all:
✓ SCA employees, contractors, consultants, volunteers, umpires, match officials, and committee (OWC, SCA Board, etc.) members.
✓ Affiliates, member clubs.
✓ Any person who deals with SCA, including external parties, who have information about misconduct related to SCA operations or in connection to SCA’s functions.
3. Definition of Whistleblower and Wrongdoing
✓ Whistleblower: Any individual who makes a disclosure under this regulation about suspected or actual misconduct, wrong-doing, breach of law or regulation. Reports may be made by individuals inside or outside SCA.
✓ Wrongdoing / Reportable Incidents include, but are not limited to:
a. Misuse or misappropriation of SCA funds, assets or property;
b. Fraud, corruption, bribery;
c. Conflict of interest that has not been properly disclosed;
d. Bypassing or manipulation of selection processes, nomination procedures, or governance structures;
e. Violation of laws, codes, regulations applicable to SCA;
f. Discrimination, harassment, bullying;
g. Retaliation against others for raising concerns;
h. Concealment or suppression of any of the above.
4. Reporting Channels & Process
| Channel | Means of Reporting |
|---|---|
| Primary internal channel | Email / written form / secure online portal [email protected] |
| Alternate | Report to SCA CEO / SCA Board Chair or SCA Board Member. |
a. Whistleblowers are encouraged to provide the following information when making a report: nature of the concern, date/time/location, persons involved, witnesses, any evidence/documents.
b. Reports may be made anonymously. However, identifying oneself facilitates investigation; anonymous reports will be considered but may limit follow-ups if insufficient detail.
5. Confidentiality and Protection
a. All disclosures will be treated confidentially. The identity of the whistleblower, where provided, shall not be disclosed beyond those involved in investigating / resolving the matter, unless required by law.
b. Whistleblowers who act in good faith will be protected against retaliation, harassment, demotion, termination or any adverse consequence.
c. If a whistleblower believes they have been subject to retaliation, they can report that as a further concern under this regulation.
d. False or malicious reports (made knowingly or recklessly) may lead to disciplinary action.
6. False or Malicious Whistleblowing
a. All individuals reporting concerns to the Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) are expected to do so in good faith and with a genuine belief that a breach of rules, misconduct, or irregularity has occurred. Reports should be accurate, fact-based, and made responsibly.
b. Any person who knowingly or recklessly provides false, misleading, or malicious information will not be protected under this SCA Whistle-Blowing Regulation.
c. Individuals found to have intentionally made false or malicious reports may face disciplinary action by the SCA, which may include:
a. Verbal or written reprimand
b. Suspension or termination of membership, employment, or engagement
c. Referral to relevant authorities if the false report involves potential legal liability
d. The SCA reserves the right to investigate all reports thoroughly, while maintaining confidentiality and ensuring fairness, before determining any action.
e. Protection under this regulation applies only to reports made in good faith. Individuals making false or malicious reports forfeit any protection under this regulation.
7. Investigation Procedure
a. Acknowledgement: Upon receipt of a whistleblowing report, the Whistleblowing Officer or Committee will acknowledge receipt (within a stated timeline, e.g. 5 business days).
b. Preliminary assessment to determine if the report falls within scope and whether more information is needed; decide whether investigation is warranted.
c. Investigation: If warranted, a fair, thorough, impartial investigation is carried out by designated persons / committee / external investigator. All relevant persons (including alleged wrongdoer) should have opportunity to respond.
d. Reporting findings: Upon conclusion, the investigator’s findings and any recommendations are presented to the SCA Board / Audit Committee (or equivalent oversight body).
e. Remedial action: If wrongdoing is confirmed, appropriate corrective actions (disciplinary, process change, reporting to authorities if needed) shall be taken.
f. Feedback: Whistleblower will be informed of the outcome, where possible, subject to confidentiality and legal constraints.
8. Oversight & Roles
a. Whistleblowing Officer / Ethics & Audit Committee: Maintain oversight of regulation, handle reports, ensure protection of whistleblowers, manage investigations.
b. SCA SCA Board/ Executive Committee: Responsible for ensuring this regulation is enforced, receiving periodic summary reports (without compromising confidentiality) of number of reports, types of issues, status/resolution, and evaluating whether regulation needs improvement.
c. Secretariat: Maintain secure record-keeping; ensure information reaches appropriate persons; maintain confidentiality and chain of custody of documents.
9. Timelines
a. Acknowledgement of receipt: within 5 working days of report submission.
b. Preliminary assessment: within 10 working days of acknowledgement.
c. Investigation: to be completed (depending on complexity) within [30-60 working days] after assessment. Extensions permitted with SCA Board approval.
d. Final report: to SCA Board within a further period after investigation, with recommendations.
10. Other Provisions
a. Whistleblower may seek external recourse if internal process is unsatisfactory (e.g. approach legal/adjudicative bodies) in accordance with applicable laws.
b. This regulation will be published on SCA Website for information to all stakeholders.
c. This regulation will be reviewed annually or sooner if needed due to legal / regulatory / operational changes.
