'I am innocent': Iswaran rejects allegations against him, says he will focus on clearing his name
Former Transport Minister S Iswaran arrives at the State Courts on Jan 18, 2024, when he was charged with multiple offences, including corruption. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
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SINGAPORE: Former Transport Minister S Iswaran reiterated his innocence and rejected all allegations against him, hours after he was charged in court with multiple offences, including corruption and obtaining valuables as a public servant.
“I am innocent and will now focus on clearing my name,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 18).
He said he submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday “even without being asked to do so”.
“I resigned as Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament and as a member of the People’s Action Party because I believe it was the right thing to do.”
“Further, I informed the Prime Minister on (Wednesday) that, even though I am innocent, I will be returning all monies that I received by way of salary as Minister and allowances as Member of Parliament from the commencement of CPIB’s
investigations in July 2023.”
The ex-minister, whose political career spanned nearly 30 years, said he and his family decided to return the monies because they believed it was the right thing to do. He had been drawing a reduced monthly salary of S$8,500 and a full MP annual allowance of of S$192,500.
Echoing what he said to Mr Lee in his resignation letter, Iswaran said he and his family could not in good conscience keep the monies as he was unable to discharge is duties as minister and MP during that period on account of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau’s investigation.
He expressed sadness that he would no longer be serving the residents of West Coast, adding that it had been a privilege to do so for the past 26 years.
“These past months have been most difficult for my family and me. I am particularly grateful to my family for their enduring love and their unwavering support.
“My family and I are deeply touched by the continued support, kindness and encouragement of our friends and well-wishers,” he said.
The bulk of the charges handed to Iswaran on Thursday was for receiving items worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng.
Charge sheets state that Iswaran received "valuable things" worth more than S$384,000 (US$285,000) from Ong between 2015 and 2022.
These ranged from tickets to shows, football matches and various editions of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix.
