Singapore’s Transport Minister, S. Iswaran, resigned following corruption charges on Thursday, marking a historic event for a city-state known for its commitment to a corruption-free government.
The charges against Iswaran are part of a significant corruption investigation that has implicated Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and involves a hotel tycoon notable for bringing the Formula 1 Grand Prix to the city. This scandal adds to a series of controversies that have shaken the government over the past year.
Iswaran is the first sitting minister in the country to face criminal charges, including 27 counts of corruption and obstructing justice, as stated by Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng in court on Thursday.
Standing alongside his legal team, Iswaran pleaded not guilty, and his bail was extended. His arrest in July was linked to hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who is the sole shareholder of the Singapore Grand Prix.
Corruption investigations involving ministers are uncommon in Singapore, where officials receive substantial salaries to deter corruption. The city-state has long maintained a reputation for clean governance and currently holds the fifth position in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), reporting directly to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has been leading the investigations into Iswaran’s case. In response to Iswaran’s resignation, Lee emphasized the government’s rigorous adherence to the law and its commitment to upholding integrity and honesty.
Lee, the eldest son of Singapore’s founding father and first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, faces this corruption probe at a critical time as he plans to step aside after nearly two decades in leadership. The case poses a challenge for the People’s Action Party (PAP) government to rebuild trust among Singaporeans, according to Eugene Tan, a former nominated member of Singapore’s parliament and an associate law professor at Singapore Management University. Tan also highlighted the government’s resolute actions in addressing the alleged misconduct of one of its own.
