Transport Minister Resigns
On January 18, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the resignation of Transport Minister S Iswaran as Cabinet Member, as Member of Parliament, and as member of the People’s Action Party, following a formal notice of charges from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). Iswaran faces a total of 27 charges, including corruption and obstruction of justice. In his letter to PM Lee, Iswaran denied the charges against him and also stated that he would return all monies received by way of salary as Minister and allowances as MP from the commencement of the CPIB’s investigations in July 2023. Iswaran is the first cabinet minister in Singapore to be charged for corruption and the first to be investigated since 1986. In August, PM Lee acknowledged that his ruling party had faced repercussions due to recent government scandals, which surprised the city-state, often recognized for its political stability.