Singapore´s Transport Minister S Iswaran is currently assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with the investigation into a case uncovered by CPIB, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announcing on Wednesday (12 July) that he had directed him to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed.
In Minister Iswaran’s absence, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be Acting Minister for Transport.
Singapore´s law enforcement agency CPIB, issued a statement on Wednesday morning, confirming Iswaran’s assistance in their ongoing investigation into a case which it had uncovered.
“CPIB acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this case because a Minister is being interviewed by CPIB. As investigations are ongoing, CPIB is unable to provide further details. CPIB will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law,” the agency said in its statement.
“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. CPIB investigates all cases without fear or favour and will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt activities,” it added.
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong provided additional details regarding the ongoing investigation in a separate statement issued on his social media pages on the same day, and in the page of Prime Minister’s Office Singapore.
He revealed that on 5 July 2023, director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) briefed him on a case CPIB had uncovered, and sought his concurrence to open a formal investigation. This would involve interviewing Minister S Iswaran, among others.
PM Lee said in his statement, “I gave Director CPIB my concurrence on 6 July 2023, following which the formal investigation began on 11 July 2023. Minister Iswaran is currently assisting CPIB with the investigations, which are ongoing.”
Acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, he instructed Minister Iswaran to take leave of absence until these investigations are completed. Mr Iswaran is currently the Minister for Transport and concurrently Minister-in-charge of trade relations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“In Minister Iswaran’s absence, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be Acting Minister for Transport,” as Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong said.
It is worth mentioning that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is responsible for the investigation and prevention of corruption in Singapore. It is the world’s oldest anti-corruption agency established in 1952 by the British colonial government.
