Singapore's Transport Minister Resigns After Corruption Charges

The Charges and Resignation

Singapore's Transport Minister S. Iswaran has resigned after being charged with corruption on Thursday, the prime minister’s office said, confirming a historic development for a city state that prides itself on having a squeaky-clean government.

Billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng smiles during a news conference in Singapore May 11, 2007. Singapore will host a Formula One race in 2008, Iswaran said on Friday. Iswaran told a media briefing that a first race could be held in September or October next year and might be a night race. An F1 night race would be the first in the world, although several Grand Prix drivers have spoken against it, citing safety concerns. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (SINGAPORE)

The charges against Iswaran are part of the biggest corruption probe to engulf Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in decades. The scandal, which also ensnared a hotel tycoon best known for bringing the Formula 1 Grand Prix to the city, was one in a series of controversies for the government in the past year that sent shockwaves through the country.

Iswaran is the country’s first sitting minister to be charged with a criminal offense. He faces 27 charges, including corruption and obstructing justice, Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng said in court Thursday, according to a charge sheet seen by CNN.

The former minister, flanked by his legal team at court, pleaded not guilty and had his bail extended.

In a statement Thursday, Lee said he had accepted the resignation of Iswaran, who had agreed to return his government salary received since the probe was launched last July.

The Impact on Singapore's Reputation

Corruption probes involving ministers are rare in Singapore, where officials are paid well to discourage graft. The city has long had a reputation for clean governance and is currently ranked number 5 in the world in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index.

Singapore’s anti-graft agency, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), which reports directly to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has been leading investigations into Iswaran’s case.

'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,' Lee said in the statement.

The corruption probe into Ong and Iswaran comes at a sensitive time for Lee as he plans to step aside after nearly 20 years leading the country.

'The case has already hurt the PAP government (which) will have to redouble its efforts to rebuild the trust and confidence of Singaporeans,' Eugene Tan, a former nominated member of Singapore’s parliament and an associate law professor at Singapore Management University, told CNN.

Conclusion

The case of Singapore’s Transport Minister S. Iswaran's resignation after being charged with corruption is a significant development for a city state that prides itself on having a clean and transparent government. The impact of this case on Singapore's reputation and governance will be closely watched as the country seeks to rebuild trust and confidence in its leadership.