The public may constantly chastise the Singaporean government for being ineffective, inefficient and incorrigible, but they have rarely accused local political figures of corruption.
No, they usually look across the causeway when they say that. Or at least in older times.
After all, Singaporean ministers receive the highest salaries in the world. Plus, Singapore is fifth on Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perception Index ranking, so the public has little room to point fingers.
Much to their chagrin, I’m sure.
But things may have changed… as an eye-opening revelation regarding Transport Minister S.Iswaran and the CPIB has emerged.
Transport Minister S.Iswaran in CPIB Investigation & is Put on Leave by PM Lee
Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has commenced an anti-graft agency investigation, and several individuals have been called in for assistance.
Amongst them is Transport Minister S.Iswaran, who also serves as MP of West Coast GRC.
The details of the case have not been revealed to the public.
Until the investigation process is complete, Minister Iswaran will comply with a leave of absence that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong imposed.
In the meantime, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will take over as Acting Minister for Transport. It’s still unclear who will cover Minister Iswaran’s MP duties.
PM Lee was reportedly informed about a potential case last week and was asked for permission by the director of CPIB, Mr Denis Tang, to conduct an official investigation.
The go-ahead occurred on 6 July 2023, and the investigation formally commenced five days later on 11 July.
CPIB has since stated its intention to uncover the truth. Should any parties be guilty of corruption, the anti-graft agency will take measures.
It is, however, unable to provide more details for the time being.
State Review
Lest you’re unaware, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan were previously accused of corruption and abuse of power.
On 6 May, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the secretary-general of the Reform Party, published a blog post on The Ricebowl Singapore (TRS) shooting accusations at the Government.
He mentioned that there were two Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) rented out by Law and Home Affairs Minister Shanmugam, who rented out the 26 Ridout Road property, and by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Balakrishnan, who rented out the 31 Ridout Road property.
Mr Jeyaretnam said that these GCBs were previously colonial homes owned by the Government and are open for public tender so anyone can bid for them.
He claimed that even with ministers earning $2 million annually, it would be tough to see how they could afford the market rent of these expensive properties.
A review was subsequently conducted, and both affiliated Ministers spoke out their side of things in Parliament.
They were also subjected to interrogations by the CPIB. While Minister Shanmugam was of the opinion that they were “firm and professional”, Dr Vivian felt that the interrogation stripped him of his privacy and that it was the most uncomfortable experience that he had gone through.
Mr Iswaran was first elected into Parliament in 1997. He served as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from September 2004 to June 2006.
In 2011, he attained the position of a full minister.
Mr Iswaran studied Economics at the University of Adelaide, graduating with First Class Honours. He also possesses a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.