Indian-origin Singapore Minister resigns after being charged with corruption

Singapore's Indian-origin Transport Minister S. Iswaran resigns from ruling party and parliament amid corruption charges.

Singapore’s Indian-origin Transport Minister S. Iswaran, who is facing corruption charges, resigned from the ruling People’s Action Party on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

The 61-year-old politician will also step down as a Member of Parliament, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

Iswaran was arrested on July 11 last year as part of an investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

His arrest was made public on July 14, although no details were provided on the nature of the investigation, according to media reports. Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP, was arrested and asked to provide information about his interactions with Iswaran.

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, dated January 16, Iswaran rejected the various offences the CPIB charged him with.

“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,” the letter said.

In a separate letter to the Prime Minister, dated January 17, Iswaran said that he would be returning his salary and MP allowance received since the commencement of the CPIB investigations in July 2023.