Ministerial statement: K Shanmugam on rental of 26 Ridout Road

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam removed himself completely from the decision-making process relating to the rental of 26 Ridout Road to avoid any conflict of interest. He told Parliament on Monday (Jul 3) that he recused himself and asked then-Senior Minister of State of Law Indranee Rajah to handle any issues that might arise with the Ministry of Law. He also informed Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and the ministry's then-Deputy Secretary about this so that there would be a chain of command that did not involve him. “So, no actual conflict. I removed myself completely from the decision-making process. And no potential or perceived conflict either because I had recused myself,” he said. Mr Shanmugam noted that there is some confusion on this. “Actually, actual, potential or perceived conflict can only arise where I have an interest in the matter, I make a decision on the matter, then that would be actual conflict. If I have an interest and I remain able to make a decision even though I do not actually make any decision, there can be potential or perceived conflict of interest. But once I recuse myself, I can’t make a decision, nor am I potentially able to make a decision." Mr Shanmugam told the House he is “sorry” that Parliament's time has been taken up to address issues which arose from a personal decision to rent a home. He pledged to address the issues, saying it is important to “do the right thing” and to “hold ourselves up to high standards of integrity”.