INCORRUPTIBILITY has been a hallmark of Singapore ever since the late Lee Kuan Yew’s time.

It is not difficult to see why this is an attractive proposition. Zero tolerance for corruption creates a stable environment, which is attractive to investors. It leads to certainty, which is good for business. It minimises leakage, which helps to optimise returns on investment. It promotes innovation, which encourages risk-taking. It prioritises the rule of law, which espouses fairness.

So the July arrest of Transport Minister S Iswaran in connection with a graft-related probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) sent shockwaves through the nation. The last time this happened was to Teh Cheang Wan in 1986, almost 40 years ago.