CPIB unveils newest recruit - a furry polar bear named 'Kopi Lim'

You won't want to "lim kopi" with law-enforcement authorities in Singapore, but this new recruit from our Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) may be making people think twice.

The government agency has welcomed a new member into its fold, and he is 'beary' adorable.

Kopi Lim, a polar bear plushie, was introduced online on Saturday (Sept 16), along with a full profile, which states that he is "24 (in human years)".

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/cpibsg/photos/a.338168953017955.1073741830.338166923018158/851190778382434[/embed]

His name is a play on the colloquial expression, "lim kopi", which means "drink coffee" in Hokkien but also refers to when police are investigating someone.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/cpibsg/photos/a.338168953017955.1073741830.338166923018158/835102739991238[/embed]

Kopi Lim's description also throws up gems like: "I used to think I was going to be a barista when I grow up, but it all changed when I heard about the work of the CPIB."

Under his 'Likes', he lists "anti-corruption work, honey, fishing, swimming and reading with a cuppa".

Reactions to the mascot have been welcoming, judging by comments from bemused netizens on CPIB's Facebook page, with the post being shared more than 230 times.

In a separate post on Monday (Sept 18), it gave an update on Kopi Lim's 'first day at work', where Kopi Lim confessed that he was "feeling the jitters".

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/cpibsg/posts/852502221584623[/embed]

According to a spokesperson for CPIB, the mascot is a public relations initiative to commemorate its 65th anniversary on Sept 18. It is also hoped that the persona can better reach out through social media to educate the public on the perils of corruption as well as the work of the CPIB.

And lest we forget that Kopi is a civil servant, as listed under his 'Habits', it is "Making sure my fur is always white" (hint, hint).

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQEyky6fVDM[/embed]

candicec@sph.com.sg