CPIB probe into Iswaran completed, case under review by AGC
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)
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SINGAPORE: 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 (PSP) 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.
Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat has taken over as Acting Minister for Transport in Mr Iswaran’s absence.
Last September, lawmakers rejected the PSP's proposal to suspend Mr Iswaran from parliament, voting instead to consider the matter when investigations against him conclude.
Few details have been released about the CPIB probe into Mr Iswaran. It is not known what he is being investigated for or what his bail quantum was.
Apart from his portfolio as Transport Minister, Mr Iswaran is also Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. He had been actively involved in the government's engagements with Formula 1, with the contract for Singapore to host the event renewed in 2022.
Mr Ong owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.
When asked by CNA when the probe was completed, CPIB echoed Mr Chan’s comments and said that “it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this juncture”. AGC also told CNA that it was unable to comment on the matter.
