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‘I am innocent and will now focus on clearing my name’: Iswaran resigns, will return salary, allowance

2024-01-18 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE – Former transport minister S. Iswaran has maintained his innocence amid the corruption case against him and will return the salary and MP allowance he received from the start of investigations in July 2023.

In a statement to the media after he was dealt 27 charges in court, including two related to corruption, Iswaran said he rejected the charges and allegations against him.

“I am innocent and will now focus on clearing my name,” wrote Iswaran, 61.

He added: “My family and I decided to return these monies because we believe it is the right thing to do.

“We cannot in all good conscience keep the monies when I was unable, on account of the investigations, to discharge my duties as a minister and Member of Parliament in that period.”

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Earlier on Jan 18, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement that Iswaran had resigned from the People’s Action Party and would be stepping down as transport minister and West Coast GRC MP.

In his resignation letter to PM Lee dated Jan 16, Iswaran said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had charged him with various offences.

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He reiterated his rejection of the allegations against him and said it felt right for him to resign from his various positions.

In a separate letter dated Jan 17, Iswaran told PM Lee of his plans to return his salary and MP allowance. Iswaran has been on a leave of absence since July 11.

He said he will not be seeking the return of these monies if he is acquitted.

Responding to Iswaran’s letter, PM Lee on Jan 17 said he was disappointed and saddened that Iswaran was leaving politics in these circumstances.

“But it is essential that I deal with such matters rigorously in accordance with the law. It is the right thing to do. We must uphold the integrity of the party and the Government. I am sure you understand the importance of doing so. Singaporeans expect no less,” he said.

In a statement on Jan 18, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secretary-general Leong Mun Wai said his party applauded Iswaran for voluntarily returning the ministerial salary and MP allowances he received while under investigation.

“However, we do not feel this should be a decision to be left to party discipline nor the individual concerned to return the money to the Government. Good governance should be ensured via strong institutional processes. There ought to be proper rules and a system governing such situations,” he said.

In September 2023, PSP Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa filed a motion in Parliament to suspend the payment of MP allowance to Iswaran pending the completion of the CPIB investigations, and to refund the allowance if he was innocent.

In a separate statement on Jan 18, the Prime Minister’s Office said that from Jan 18, Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat will replace Iswaran as transport minister. Mr Chee will also be appointed second minister for finance.

Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat (left) will replace S. Iswaran as transport minister, while Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu will be the new minister-in-charge of trade relations. PHOTOS: GOV.SG

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu will be the new minister-in-charge of trade relations.

On Jan 18, Iswaran appeared before a district judge and was charged with two counts of corruption over bribes.

S. Iswaran also faces 24 charges of accepting valuable items worth more than $218,000, including Singapore Grand Prix tickets, between November 2015 and December 2021 from Mr Ong Beng Seng (pictured) while being a public servant. PHOTO: ST FILE

He is accused of obtaining bribes, including a flight on hotelier Ong Beng Seng’s private plane from Singapore to Doha worth about US$7,700 (S$10,340), one night’s stay in Four Seasons Hotel Doha worth $4,737.63, and a business class flight from Doha to Singapore worth about $5,700.

Iswaran also faces 24 charges of obtaining valuable items worth more than $218,000, including Singapore Grand Prix tickets, between November 2015 and December 2021 from Mr Ong while being a public servant, and one charge of obstructing justice in May 2023.