S Iswaran has been ordered to take leave until the investigation is completed.
Singapore:
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked Indian senior minister S Iswaran to take a leave of absence as he assists the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in an investigation into a case uncovered by the bureau. The agency did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation in its Wednesday statement.
The prime minister said in a separate statement that the investigation requires Transport Minister Iswaran, as well as other individuals, to be interviewed by the CPIB.
Lee said he has ordered Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed.
In his absence, Senior Foreign Minister Chee Hong Tat will be acting transport minister, Channel News Asia reported, citing the prime minister’s statement.
Lee said he was briefed last Wednesday by the director of CPIB about a case the agency discovered. The director sought Lee’s permission to open a formal investigation.
Denis Tang is the director of the anti-graft bureau, which falls under the Prime Minister’s Office.
“I gave permission to director CPIB on July 6, after which the formal investigation began on July 11,” said the prime minister.
In its statement, the CPIB said it will “investigate this matter thoroughly with a strong determination to establish the facts and the truth and uphold the rule of law”.
“CPIB acknowledges the interest of members of the public in this matter as a minister is being interviewed by CPIB. As the investigation is ongoing, CPIB is unable to provide further details.” It also said Singapore has a “strict zero-tolerance approach to corruption”.
CPIB investigates all matters without fear or favor and will not hesitate to take action against parties involved in corrupt activities, it added.
Iswaran is an MP for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled the prosperous city-state since independence. PTI GS RDT
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