Singapore Minister of Tranport S. Iswaran was previously reported as assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), who have reportedly uncovered a case that has prompted the need for a thorough inquiry involving Minister Iswaran and several others.
He was subsequently told to take a leave of absence by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong until the investigations are complete, with his duties being taken over by Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat, who will assume the role of Acting Minister for Transport.
Following the revelation of the breaking news, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong addressed the media and said that Iswaran’s duties will also be covered by the other West Coast GRC MPs during the period.
Wong also asked for patience and understanding from the public to let CPIB perform their investigations and provide their findings into the matter in due time.
He also added in a Facebook statement that both himself and PM Lee are “fully committed” to preserving the trust of the people in the PAP government, and that they maintain a “tough, zero tolerance stance against corruption”.
He further added that they will be “upfront and transparent; we will not sweep anything under the carpet, even if they are potentially embarrassing or damaging to the PAP”.
Lawrence Wong’s Facebook statement
I know many are concerned and have questions about the CPIB investigation case.
As investigations are ongoing, we have to let them take their course and we urge everyone to refrain from speculation.
But I want to emphasise that this is concrete proof of how we do things in Singapore and how our system works.
We have always upheld a clean and incorrupt system of government. Our track record over the decades is clear to all.
This is the foundation of the people’s trust in the PAP government, and PM Lee and I are fully committed to preserving this trust.
We maintain a tough, zero tolerance stance against corruption. We will continue to uphold stringent standards of honesty and probity that Singaporeans expect of their political leaders.
We will be upfront and transparent; we will not sweep anything under the carpet, even if they are potentially embarrassing or damaging to the PAP. This is how the PAP government has worked, and will continue to work — with transparency and integrity.
I seek everyone’s patience and understanding, to let CPIB do its work, and provide its findings in due course.