Singapore’s Transport Minister, S. Iswaran, resigned on Thursday, January 18, after being charged with corruption. This marks the first instance in four decades where a minister in Singapore has been implicated in a graft case, and the investigation also implicates a billionaire hotel tycoon.
Earlier In 1986, Teh Cheang Wan, who was then the Minister for National Development, faced an investigation for accepting bribes. However, he passed away before formal charges could be brought against him in court.
Timeline of the case
The city-state, known for its commitment to clean governance, has been shaken by this recent case involving transport Minister, S. Iswaran. This high-profile graft case, the first involving a minister in almost four decades, has sent shockwaves through the nation.
The matter first came to the attention of Prime Minister Lee in May of last year when the CPIB (Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau informed him that they had come across some information involving Mr. Iswaran. About a month later, the CPIB director briefed PM Lee on the findings, and he sought the PM’s approval to interview
Mr. Iswaran. The next day, PM Lee gave the green light, and on 11th July, Mr. Iswaran was arrested by the CPIB. Later, he was released on bail.
PM Lee also instructed him to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed. He was interdicted from duty with reduced pay of $8,500 a month. After that, the news broke about his arrest and release on bail.
Scandal that raises questions on Singapore’s governance
Iswaran is dealing with a total of 27 charges, which include accusation of corruption and obstructing justice, according to the CPIB.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) stated that Iswaran, who got arrested in July last year, is accused of getting kickbacks total S$384,340.98 ($286,181) from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. This was supposedly done to help Ong’s business interests.
The property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was also arrested in July as part of the corruption probe to provide information related to his interaction with Mr. Iswaran. He has not been charged.
The charge sheets reveal that the favors Iswaran allegedly received include tickets to football matches, musicals, a ride on Ong’s private plane, and tickets to the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. Iswaran was an advisor to the Grand Prix’s steering committee, and Ong owns the rights to the race.
Prime minister Lee said, “PAB (People’s Action Party) will do everything that needs to be done, if it’s politically embarrassing and painful to party”. If found guilty of corruption, Mr. Iswaran could be fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to seven years in prison.
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