Indian-origin minister in Singapore resigns amid graft charges

Singapore, January 18

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 would not seekg 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.