January 17, 2024
2 mins read

Singapore Transport Minister Iswaran Resigns Amid Corruption Charges

Iswaran, who was on a leave of absence since the probe began in July 2023, will repay his salary as a minister and allowances as an MP from that month…reports Asian Lite News

Singapore’s Indian-origin Transport Minister, S. Iswaran has stepped down from his post after facing 27 charges of offences in a corruption probe, which also included receiving tickets from a top property tycoon.

The 61-year-old minister, who was arrested on July 11 last year and released on SG$800,000 bail, also resigned as an MP from the ruling People’s Action Party, The Straits Times reported on Thursday.

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, dated January 16, Iswaran said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) charged him with various offences.

“I reject the allegations in the charges and will now focus on clearing my 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,” he wrote.

Iswaran, who was on a leave of absence since the probe began in July 2023, will repay his salary as a minister and allowances as an MP from that month.

“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,” he said in the letter.

He added that he will not be seeking the return of the amount if he is acquitted.

The Prime Minister’s Office said that effective from Thursday, Chee Hong Tat will replace Iswaran as Transport Minister.

Earlier in the day, Iswaran appeared before a district judge and was charged with two counts of corruption over bribes.

He is accused of accepting more than SG$160,000 from billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng to advance the latter’s business interests in a Singapore Grand Prix contract with the city-state’s Tourism Board in September and December 2022.

Iswaran also faces 24 charges of accepting valuable items worth more than SG$218,000, including Singapore Grand Prix tickets, between November 2015 and December 2021 from Ong — credited with bringing F1 racing to Singapore — while being a public servant, and one charge of obstructing justice in May 2023.

His political career spans more than 26 years, and he was first elected in 1997 as an MP for West Coast Group Representation Constituency.

In May 2021, he was appointed Minister for Transport and was concurrently minister-in-charge of trade relations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) since May 2018.

ALSO READ-Singapore Explores Hiring APOs from India

Previous Story

Blinken’s Emergency Plane Change After ‘Critical Failure’

Next Story

Mayors of Brampton and Surrey Raise Alarm Over Escalating Extortion Threats

Latest from -Top News

India, Canada Deepen Cultural Ties with New Temple

The Indian envoy lauded BAPS, a socio-spiritual Hindu organisation, along with its volunteers, for their efforts in serving the community….reports Asianlite News Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K. Patnaik attended the

The General Who Won’t Let Go

The Pakistani Army Chief is gradually bringing in people from both his family and the army into the administrative division of the country….reports Asianlite News In July this year, rumours were rife

Trump Begins Japan Leg of Asia Tour

Upon landing, his only scheduled public engagement is a courtesy visit with Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump is scheduled to depart Malaysia shortly,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Faith In Indian Economy Grows As NRI Deposits Surge

The non-resident Indians (NRIs) deposited around $1 billion in the

India pushes for stronger ties with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic

MoS Lekhi took note of the situation and prospects of