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Singapore’s transport minister has resigned after being accused of corruption. This is a damning accusation, unusual in a city-state with a reputation for clean governance and transparency.
S. Iswaran faces 27 charges, including corruption, obstruction of justice and obtaining “valuables” from a prominent real estate tycoon, the country’s corruption watchdog said in a statement Thursday.
Mr Iswaran denies any wrongdoing. If found guilty of corruption, he could be fined up to S$100,000 and sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said he received kickbacks totaling more than S$384,000 (US$285,770) between 2015 and 2022.
“I deny the charges and am committed to clearing my name,” Iswaran said in his resignation letter released Thursday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s office. Iswaran added that he will return the salary and allowances he received since the investigation began in July last year.
Mr Lee said the government would continue to deal with the incident “strictly”.
“I am determined to uphold the integrity of the party and the government and its reputation for honesty and incorruption,” Mr Lee said, referring to the ruling People’s Action Party, of which Mr Iswaran was also a member until he resigned this week. Ta. “Singaporeans have high expectations.”
The charges come about six months after anti-corruption authorities arrested Iswaran and Ong Ben Seng, one of the city-state’s most high-profile real estate tycoons. Both were released on bail.
Corruption watchdogs say Mr Iswaran paid part of the bribes in a contract between his company, Singapore GP PTE, and the government agency, the Singapore Tourism Board, because it “furthered Mr Ong’s business interests”. He said he received it.
The kickbacks allegedly included tickets to English Premier League football matches, Formula 1 races and theater performances, according to an indictment obtained by the Financial Times. Harry potter and cursed child hamilton and kinky bootsa business class flight from Doha to Singapore is also planned for 2022.
Mr Iswaran previously served as Singapore’s Minister of Communications and Minister of Trade and Industry, and in 2007 he partnered with Mr Ong to help bring the F1 Grand Prix to Singapore.
Mr Ong has not been charged. He is the founder of Hotel Properties, whose real estate portfolio includes brands such as Four Seasons and InterContinental. The company previously said Mr Ong had provided details of his transactions with Iswaran to the watchdog.
Singapore GP declined to comment. The Singapore Tourism Board did not respond to requests for comment. Mr Ong declined to comment.
The corruption scandal comes amid mounting scandals in the ruling party, which is facing a key leadership change this year.
Prime Minister Lee is expected to hand over power to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as early as November, making this the fourth leadership change in Singapore’s history. In 2025, Singapore will face an election in which the PAP, which has ruled Singapore uninterrupted since independence in 1965, is expected to win again.
Mr Lee said the corruption allegations against Mr Iswaran and Mr Ong and the resignation of two senior PAP members over “inappropriate relationships” had taken a toll on the party’s reputation last year.
Singapore’s ministers are among the highest paid in the world, earning around S$1 million a year, in part to help fight corruption. The last graft case in Singapore involving a minister was in 1986.