Iswaran resigns as minister, MP and PAP member; Chee Hong Tat promoted to full minister

SINGAPORE: Transport Minister S Iswaran has resigned from parliament and the People's Action Party (PAP).

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 18) that Iswaran submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday.

Mr Lee said this was after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) gave Iswaran formal notice of the criminal charges filed against him. 

Iswaran was handed 27 charges in court on Thursday morning. He pleaded not guilty to all charges - two of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, one of obstructing justice and 24 of receiving a valuable thing as a public servant under the Penal Code.

"He wrote to me to resign as a Cabinet Minister and as a member of the People’s Action Party. He also informed me that he was resigning as Member of Parliament for the West Coast Group Representation Constituency," said Mr Lee. 

Iswaran further informed the Prime Minister on Wednesday that he would return all monies received through his salary as minister and allowances as MP, since the commencement of CPIB's investigations in July last year. 

"Since Mr Iswaran has now resigned, he will henceforth no longer receive any salary or allowance from the government," said Mr Lee.

"The government has dealt with this case rigorously in accordance with the law, and will continue to do so. I am determined to uphold the integrity of the party and the government, and our reputation for honesty and incorruptibility. Singaporeans expect no less."

PMO said in a separate statement that Mr Chee Hong Tat will be promoted to full minister and appointed as Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance.

Ms Grace Fu, who is Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, will concurrently assume responsibility as Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations.

Iswaran was arrested on Jul 11 last year as part of an investigation by the anti-graft agency. 

The 61-year-old has been Minister for Transport since May 2021. His political career spans 27 years since he was first elected in 1997 as a Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC.

Before he was appointed to the Cabinet in 2006, he served on several government parliamentary committees and was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from September 2004 to June 2006.

The Prime Minister had placed Iswaran on a leave of absence during the CPIB investigation. Parliament agreed last September to consider suspending him as an MP when investigations conclude.

On Wednesday, Mr Lee replied to Iswaran to accept his resignation and acknowledge his decision to return the monies.

In his resignation letter, Iswaran also said that he rejected the allegations in the charges and would now focus on clearing his name.  

"Given the circumstances, I feel it is right for me to resign from Cabinet, as a Member of Parliament and as a member of the PAP," wrote Iswaran.

Regarding the return of monies, Iswaran said in a subsequent letter that he had not been asked to do so.

"I am doing this even though I reject the charges and am innocent. My family and I have decided to return the monies because we cannot in all good conscience benefit from them when I was unable, on account of the investigations, to discharge my duties as a Minister and Member of Parliament."

"So that there is no doubt, I will not be seeking the return of these monies if, as I strongly believe, I am acquitted," he said.

In his reply, Mr Lee said that he was "disappointed and saddened" that Iswaran was leaving politics in these circumstances. 

However, Mr Lee added that it was essential for him to deal with such matters "rigorously in accordance with the law".

Here are the letters in full: