Update 18 Jan 2024: Charges against Former Transport Minister Iswaran
Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran faces 27 charges including corruption, says he is not guilty
Some of the charges were related to alleged incidents that happened between 2015 and 2021, and included receiving two tickets to a football match between West Ham United and Everton. A court officer told the court the charges were read to him before the hearing.
Iswaran, who was arrested in July 2023 by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), arrived at the State Courts at about 8am on Jan 18. He arrived with his legal team, which includes Senior Counsel Davinder Singh from Davinder Singh Chambers, and did not comment when The Straits Times approached him. The prosecution team is led by Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng, who is assisted by two Deputy Public Prosecutors, Jiang Ke Yue and Kelvin Chong.
related: LIVE - Iswaran faces 27 charges
CPIB probe into Iswaran completed, case under review by AGC
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| FILE PHOTO: Singapore's Minister for Transport S Iswaran delivers his opening address at the Changi Aviation Summit on May 17, 2022. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman) |
The investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) into Transport Minister S Iswaran has concluded, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Tuesday (Jan 9).
In a written answer to Progress Singapore Party’s Hazel Poa, Mr Chan, replying on behalf of the Prime Minister, said the case is currently being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC). Ms Poa, a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP), had asked for an update on CPIB’s investigation of Mr Iswaran. “I understand that there is much public interest in this matter,” Mr Chan said. “I want to give my assurance that this case will be put through the due legal process.” He noted that CPIB has completed a “robust and thorough investigation”, and the matter is now before AGC. “It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on the matter at this juncture,” he said.
On Jul 12 last year, CPIB first revealed that Mr Iswaran was assisting with an investigation into a case uncovered by the anti-graft agency. Two days later, CPIB said the Transport Minister had in fact been arrested on Jul 11 and subsequently released on bail. Hotel Properties Limited managing director Ong Beng Seng was arrested on the same day. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong subsequently placed Mr Iswaran on a leave of absence. Mr Lee also said in August that Mr Iswaran had his pay reduced to S$8,500 (US$6,390) a month until further notice. Mr Iswaran continues to draw the full annual MP allowance of S$192,500.
CPIB probe into Iswaran completed; findings before AGC - Chan Chun Sing
Transport Minister S. Iswaran arriving at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau headquarters in July 2023. PHOTO: ST FILE
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has completed its investigation into Transport Minister S. Iswaran, with the matter now before the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing was replying to Progress Singapore Party Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa, who had requested an update into the ongoing investigations, in Parliament on Jan 9. In a written response on behalf of the Prime Minister, Mr Chan said: “I understand that there is much public interest in this matter. I want to give my assurance that this case will be put through the due legal process.” He said the CPIB has completed a “robust and thorough” investigation and added that the matter is currently being reviewed by the AGC.
Mr Iswaran was arrested by the graft busters on July 11, 2023. He is currently out on bail. In an interview with The Straits Times and Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao published on Jan 8, National Development Minister Desmond Lee described the corruption probe as a “very worrying development”, adding that the case has had a big impact on West Coast GRC.
CPIB completes investigation on Iswaran, case pending AGC review
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau's (CPIB) investigation into Minister for Transport S. Iswaran has been completed and is currently being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers, said Minister Chan Chun Sing, on behalf of the Prime Minister.
In a written response to Progress Singapore Party's Hazel Poa's parliamentary question asking for an update on the CPIB's investigation of Iswaran, Chan said that he understands there is much public interest in the matter. "I want to give my assurance that this case will be put through the due legal process," he added, stating that the CPIB has completed a "robust and thorough investigation". "The matter is currently being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers. It would, therefore, not be appropriate to comment on the matter at this juncture," he added.
CPIB was investigating Iswaran since May 2023. CPIB came across information on Iswaran during another investigation. This started a quiet investigation in May 2023, and PM Lee was alerted to it on May 29, 2023. On Jul. 5, CPIB told PM Lee that they had attained adequate information to launch a formal investigation into Iswaran. PM Lee gave the director of CPIB his concurrence to launch a formal investigation. Iswaran was subsequently arrested by CPIB on Jul. 11 and released on bail. He was arrested on the same day as billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng.
Parliament rejects proposal to suspend Iswaran as MP; will 'consider the matter' after outcome of graft probe
During a two-hour debate, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) would consider a clawback of Mr Iswaran’s MP allowance if justified, such as if he is given criminal charges. The Progress Singapore Party motion had called for Mr Iswaran to be suspended as an MP for the remainder of the current session of parliament. He was arrested in July and is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
But Ms Indranee filed a counter-motion for parliament to consider the matter when the outcome of ongoing investigations against Mr Iswaran is known. PAP MPs voted for Ms Indranee’s motion, while the Progress Singapore Party's (PSP) two Non-Constituency MPs – Ms Hazel Poa and Mr Leong Mun Wai – voted for their own motion.
Indranee Rajah and Hazel Poa debate motion to suspend Iswaran
People’s Action Party and Workers’ Party MPs rejected a motion on Tuesday to suspend Transport Minister S. Iswaran as an MP, agreeing that there is no basis to do so. This is as the outcome of investigations is not yet known, said Leader of the House Indranee Rajah.
For the House to take any action on Mr Iswaran at this stage is premature and would prejudge the outcome of his case, she said during a debate on whether to suspend Mr Iswaran for the remaining term of Parliament. The motion was filed by Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa.
Ms Indranee filed a separate motion that called on the House to be firm and fair with any MPs being investigated for possible wrongdoing, and to consider Mr Iswaran’s case when the outcome of the investigations against him is known. This was passed by Parliament after about two hours of discussion on both motions.
NCMP Hazel Poa Filed Motion to Suspend Iswaran from Parliament So He Won’t Get His $192,500-Per-Year Allowance
In response to the ongoing CPIB investigation, Mr Iswaran was also issued a leave of absence by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong until the investigation is completed. Folks were curious if this political drama would impact the F1 Singapore Grand Prix contract this year, which, in case you didn’t know, is proceeding as planned despite the ongoing probe. The plot thickens further as Hazel Poa, Member of Parliament (MP) and vice-chairperson of the Non-Constituency Progress Singapore Party (PSP), has introduced a significant development.
Poa revealed in a Facebook post on 8 September that she has formally filed a motion requesting the suspension of Mr Iswaran from his role as an MP for the duration of the current session of the 14th Parliament. If the motion passes, this would entail the suspension of Mr Iswaran’s annual MP allowance, amounting to $192,500 a year. Her post came after Prime Minister Lee said in parliament on 2 August that Mr Iswaran is currently on interdiction with a reduced pay of $8,500 a month until further notice. However, he can still receive the annual MP allowance of $192,500.
PM Lee's ministerial statement on CPIB probe involving S Iswaran, PAP MPs' resignation
PM Lee on CPIB’s Iswaran probe & MP resignations
Govt has been slow to clear the air, less than upfront and forthright with Singaporeans: Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh
Mr Singh, who is WP chief, outlines three examples which he says show a pattern of behaviour of “the PAP engaging in half-truths on matters of significant public interest”. This behaviour goes a long way to explain “real disquiet” among Singaporeans today, he adds.
Listing the incidents to prove his point, he says that the public was not informed about CPIB’s investigation into the Ridout rentals initially and was also not told about Mr Iswaran’s arrest when investigations were first disclosed. He also cites that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the public was informed belatedly that TraceTogether data was not used solely for contact-tracing as had been stated.
Iswaran interdicted from duty during CPIB probe, on a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice: PM Lee
Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge for Trade Relations S Iswaran pictured on May 17, 2022. (File photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
Transport Minister S Iswaran has been interdicted from duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a ministerial statement on Wednesday (Aug 2).
Mr Lee was speaking in parliament on the corruption probe involving Mr Iswaran, as well as the resignations of two MPs - former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Ms Cheng Li Hui - over their extramarital affair. More than 10 MPs had filed questions on matters related to the probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Mr Iswaran was arrested by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Jul 11. He is out on bail and has been placed on a leave of absence. CPIB's probe into Mr Iswaran also involves billionaire Ong Beng Seng, the man widely credited with bringing F1 racing to Singapore.
Transport Minister S Iswaran leaving the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) headquarters on Jul 18, 2023. (Photo: TODAY/Nadarajan Rajendran)
Transport Minister S Iswaran was questioned for around 10 hours by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Tuesday (Jul 18), the first time he has been spotted at the anti-graft agency since news of his connection to an investigation broke last week.
National daily The Straits Times reported that Mr Iswaran arrived at the CPIB building at Lengkok Bahru in Redhill at about 10.50am on Tuesday in a grey Mazda 6 saloon. Dressed in a blue shirt and dark trousers, he entered the compound alone. TODAY spotted him leaving at 8.48pm in a dark-coloured Audi sports utility vehicle.
CPIB said last Friday that Mr Iswaran and Hotel Property Limited managing director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on Jul 11 and assisting with investigations. It did not give details on the nature of the probe. Both men were released on bail, and as part of their bail conditions, both Mr Iswaran and Mr Ong's passports were impounded.
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S. Iswaran, Singapore's minister for trade and industry, speaks during a Singapore Airlines news conference in Singapore on Jan. 29, 2018. Ore Huiying—Bloomberg/Getty Images
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he instructed Transport Minister S. Iswaran to go on leave as the city-state’s anti-graft agency started a probe, the first involving a cabinet minister in almost four decades.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau uncovered a case and asked to open a formal investigation that would involve interviewing Iswaran and others, Lee said in a statement on Wednesday, without specifying the reasoning for the investigation or the target. “CPIB acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this case because a minister is being interviewed,” the anti-graft agency said in a statement. “CPIB will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law.”
In 1986, then-Minister for National Development Teh Cheang Wan was investigated for accepting bribes totalling $1 million from two private companies for helping them retain and buy over a piece of state land for private development. He committed suicide on 14 December 1986, before he could be formally charged in court. Teh left behind a letter addressed to then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew expressing his remorse at what had happened and his view that he should “accept full responsibility” and “pay the highest price for his mistake”.
Singapore minister, tycoon arrested in rare high-level graft probe
Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng walks out of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau headquarters in Singapore July 12, 2023. Singapore Press Holding Media Trust/LianHe Zaobao/Ho Peng Yew via REUTERS.
A Singapore government minister and a property tycoon were arrested this week, the anti-graft body said on Friday, without giving details of what prompted the rare high-level probe that has gripped the city state. Transport Minister S. Iswaran and managing director of Hotel Properties Ong Beng Seng were arrested on Tuesday and subsequently released on bail, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in an emailed response to a Reuters query.
The CPIB said on Wednesday that it had launched an investigation into Iswaran. The case is rare in Singapore, a top Asian financial hub that prides itself on a corruption-free government. Cabinet ministers are paid handsomely to discourage graft, with some ministers' annual salaries exceeding S$1 million ($758,000). Ong is known for bringing Formula One races to the city-state and his company said he is cooperating with the anti-graft agency. Iswaran's passport has been impounded, but the CPIB allowed Ong to travel out of Singapore on Friday.
Singapore’s ruling party faces national elections by late 2025 and will hope to put the latest episode behind it quickly, though it has reassured that it will not sweep any embarrassing details under the carpet. Unfortunately, there was more negative news on Monday when the parliament speaker and another lawmaker resigned for having an “inappropriate relationship”. It’s a tricky moment but one Singapore can use to reassert its high standards.
related:
Transport minister S Iswaran and tycoon Ong Beng Seng arrested, released on bail over CPIB probe
Transport Minister S Iswaran was arrested on Tuesday as part of a probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
The anti-graft agency said the minister is out on bail currently and his passport has been impounded. As part of the same probe, property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was also arrested on the same day in relation to his interactions with Mr Iswaran.
Hotel Properties Limited -- founded by Mr Ong -- said no charges have been filed. The Singapore-based businessman is out on bail of S$100,000 and is travelling today. He will surrender his passport to the CPIB when he returns.
related: How did CPIB come about and what powers does it have in investigating corruption in Singapore?
Billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng issued notice of arrest over CPIB probe involving Iswaran
Transport Minister S Iswaran with Hotel Properties Limited's Ong Beng Seng (right) and Stefano Domenicali (centre), the CEO of Formula One. (Photo: Facebook/S Iswaran)
Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), has been issued a notice of arrest and asked by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to provide information in relation to his interactions with Transport Minister S Iswaran.
“No charges have been filed against Mr Ong. He will be travelling from Jul 14 and will be surrendering his passport to CPIB upon his return to Singapore," HPL said in a company announcement on Friday (Jul 14), adding that he has posted bail of S$100,000 (US$75,700). HPL said Mr Ong is fully cooperating with the anti-corruption agency and has provided the information requested.
“As this is an ongoing matter, he is unable to provide further details at this point. He has undertaken to provide updates to the board if there are subsequent material developments," the company said. Mr Ong was seen entering and leaving CPIB's headquarters on Wednesday after the agency announced that Mr Iswaran is assisting with a case it uncovered, although it did not reveal the nature of the investigation.
related:
Rare Singapore corruption probe widens to include Grand Prix owner
Ong Beng Seng walking out of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau headquarters in Singapore in a photo dated July 12
Ong, managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, was arrested last Tuesday, along with Minister of Transport S. Iswaran, according to the country’s anti-corruption agency, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). Both men were later released on bail, the bureau told CNN late Friday. Ong was asked by the agency to provide information about his interactions with Iswaran, his company said in a Friday filing to the stock exchange.
The agency launched an investigation into a case involving the transport minister on Tuesday, in a rare corruption probe involving a cabinet-level official. Ong’s company said he had posted bail of 100,000 Singapore dollars ($76,000) after being given a notice of arrest. No charges have been filed against him, it said.
Singapore launches corruption probe involving transport minister
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said July 12 that he has instructed the country’s transport minister S. Iswaran to go on leave after he was implicated in an anti-graft agency investigation
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked the country’s transport minister to go on leave, saying he was involved in an anti-graft agency investigation.
S. Iswaran is among several unnamed individuals currently assisting Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in investigations, Lee said in a statement Wednesday. “I have instructed Minister Iswaran to take leave of absence until these investigations are completed,” Lee said, without elaborating on the specifics of the case.
Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be acting minister for transport, Lee added. Iswaran is also overseeing Singapore’s trade relations. The announcement comes weeks after a state review on allegations made against two other cabinet ministers regarding their rental of government-owned colonial bungalows.
Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran assisting in CPIB investigation
Transport Minister S. Iswaran is currently assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in an investigation.
Media outlets in Singapore reported on Wednesday (12 July) that CPIB acknowledged the interest by the public in this case because a minister is being interviewed. "As investigations are ongoing, CPIB is unable to provide further details," it added.
"CPIB will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law. "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.”
Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran Assisting in CPIB Investigation
Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran is assisting the country's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau with an investigation into a case uncovered by the agency.
Given that investigations are continuing, the CPIB is unable to provide further details, the bureau said Wednesday. Singapore has a strict zero-tolerance approach toward corruption, the CPIB said. In a separate statement, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the director of the CPIB briefed him on the case and sought his concurrence to open a formal investigation on July 5. Lee said this will involve interviewing Iswaran, among others.
The prime minister said he gave the CPIB director his concurrence on July 6 and the formal investigation began Tuesday. Lee also said he instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed. In his absence, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be acting minister for transport, Lee said.
Singapore Investigates Indian-Origin Minister S Iswaran
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked Indian-origin senior minister S Iswaran to go on leave as he is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with an investigation into a case uncovered by the agency. The bureau did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation in its statement issued on Wednesday.
The prime minister said in a separate statement that the investigation would require Transport Minister Iswaran, as well as other individuals, to be interviewed by CPIB.
Lee said he has instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed.
Singapore’s PAP in ‘damage control mode’ amid S. Iswaran corruption probe
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has ordered Transport Minister S. Iswaran to go on a leave of absence as he is investigated by the country’s anti-corruption agency.
Given the rarity of such a directive in Singapore, one of the world’s least-corrupt places, political observers suggested the outcome of the investigation could have serious implications for the long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP). The city state’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement on Wednesday morning that it was unable to release further details about the investigation.
“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,” it said in a statement.
Transport Minister S Iswaran assisting in CPIB investigation, instructed to take leave of absence by PM Lee
Transport Minister S Iswaran is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with an investigation into a case uncovered by the agency.
The bureau did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation in its statement on Wednesday (Jul 12).Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a separate statement that the investigation would require Mr Iswaran, as well as other individuals, to be interviewed by CPIB.
Mr Lee said he was briefed by the director of CPIB last Wednesday regarding a case that the bureau had uncovered. The director sought Mr Lee’s concurrence to open a formal investigation. Mr Denis Tang is the director of the anti-graft agency, which sits under the Prime Minister's Office.
Iswaran assisting in CPIB investigation, instructed by PM to take leave of absence
Mr S. Iswaran has been instructed by PM Lee Hsien Loong to take leave of absence until the investigation is completed. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Transport Minister S. Iswaran is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with an investigation into a case uncovered by the anti-graft body.
In a statement on Wednesday, CPIB said it acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this matter because a minister is being interviewed by the bureau.
It said: “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.”
37 years ago, Lee Kuan Yew's Cabinet minister was investigated by CPIB for alleged bribery
He took his life before the case went to trial
The announcement on Jul. 7 that Transport Minister S Iswaran was assisting with a Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau (CPIB) investigation was a shot of out of the blue for Singaporeans. The agency did not divulge any information aside from its assurance that it would tackle the investigation with "strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth".
CPIB investigations where a Cabinet minister is involved is exceedingly rare in Singapore. Prior to this year, the last time CPIB investigated a minister was more than three decades ago, when Lee Kuan Yew was still Prime Minister. The date was January 26, 1987. Then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew read out a suicide note in Parliament, written by Minister for National Development Teh Cheang Wan. In his note, Teh expressed his sadness for how things had turned out and said it was only honourable for him to "pay the highest penalty" for his mistake. Lee went on to reveal for the first time that Teh had been the subject of an investigation by CPIB.
Specifically, it was alleged that Teh had received S$500,000 with regard to a land acquisition appeal. He was also alleged to have received another S$500,000 relating to the sale of government land to owners of a hotel. In total, Teh was said to have received S$1 million, of which he kept S$800,000 and gave S$200,000 to the intermediary who acted as the go-between. Teh denied the charges. And while CPIB had collected enough evidence to hand over the case to the Attorney-General on December 11, 1986, the trial did not proceed because Teh took his life three days later on December 14.
Has the Men-in-White turn Black
Transport Minister S Iswaran was arrested on Tuesday as part of a probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
The anti-graft agency said the minister is out on bail currently and his passport has been impounded. As part of the same probe, property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was also arrested on the same day in relation to his interactions with Mr Iswaran.
Hotel Properties Limited -- founded by Mr Ong -- said no charges have been filed. The Singapore-based businessman is out on bail of S$100,000 and is travelling today. He will surrender his passport to the CPIB when he returns.
related: How did CPIB come about and what powers does it have in investigating corruption in Singapore?
First prize for President hopeful Ng Kok Song
Mr Ng Kok Song aged 75 accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau aged 45 at the Elections Department on July 19, 2023. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
The combined ages of Mr Ng Kok Song aged 75 and his fiancee Sybil Lau aged 45, won the First Price drawn by Singapore Pools on 2 Aug 2023.
