Iswaran’s alleged graft case: a timeline of events

FORMER transport minister S Iswaran is the first political officeholder in Singapore to be charged with corruption in close to five decades.

In 1975, then-minister of state for environment Wee Toon Boon was sentenced to 18 months in jail for accepting a house and a free trip from a housing developer. In November 1986, then-minister for national development Teh Cheang Wan was investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for allegedly receiving S$800,000 in cash payments. He died by suicide the following month before he could be charged.

Here’s a recap of how the case involving Iswaran unfolded.

May 29, 2023

CPIB updated Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on an investigation it was doing on an unrelated case.

Jul 5, 2023

In an update to PM Lee, CPIB raised the need to interview then-transport minister S Iswaran as part of further investigations.

Jul 6, 2023

PM Lee gave his concurrence to the director of CPIB to open a formal investigation.

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Jul 12, 2023

CPIB revealed in a press statement that Iswaran was assisting the CPIB with an investigation, without disclosing the nature of the probe.

In a separate statement, PM Lee said Iswaran would be taking a leave of absence until investigations are completed.

Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat would be the acting minister for transport.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reiterated a “zero-tolerance stance” towards corruption and told reporters that the government will not sweep anything under the carpet, pledging transparency.

Jul 13, 2023

Iswaran would be remaining in Singapore during his leave of absence, without access to any official resources and government buildings, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Jul 14, 2023

Both Iswaran and Hotel Properties Ltd managing director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on Jul 11, CPIB said in response to media queries.

They were subsequently released on bail.

Ong reportedly travelled to Bali and would be surrendering his passport to CPIB upon his return.

Jul 17, 2023

Ong returned to Singapore on a private jet that landed at Seletar Airport.

Jul 18, 2023

Iswaran was seen leaving CPIB headquarters reportedly after 10 hours of questioning.

Jul 20, 2023

PMO said whether and when to make public that a person has been arrested in connection with their investigations is a decision for CPIB to make.

The statement followed public chatter on why PM Lee and Wong had not disclosed Iswaran’s arrest on Jul 12. In particular, online blog Political Sophistry was issued a correction notice for falsely claiming that information was “deliberately withheld”.

Aug 2, 2023

Iswaran had been interdicted from duty with a reduced monthly salary of S$8,500 until further notice, PM Lee said in a ministerial statement in Parliament.

CPIB did not at first disclose Iswaran’s arrest on Jul 12 as it wanted to first establish more facts on the case, said Education Minister and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing.

A total of 18 MPs filed parliamentary questions on the probe. During the sitting, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) MP Hazel Poa asked why Iswaran was not placed on no-pay leave instead. PM Lee replied that he had to be fair to Iswaran, as he had not been convicted or charged.

It was also revealed that Iswaran’s allowance as an MP had not been interdicted, as this is only done when an MP is suspended, or a motion is moved to remove the member.

Sep 19, 2023

Parliament resolved to consider Iswaran’s MP status when the outcome of ongoing corruption investigations against him is known. MPs from the ruling People’s Action Party and opposition Workers’ Party rejected a motion filed by PSP’s Poa to suspend Iswaran, agreeing that there is no basis to do so.

Jan 8, 2024

National Development Minister Desmond Lee said Iswaran’s graft probe has had a “big impact” on his West Coast GRC and described the investigation as a “very worrying development”, The Straits Times reported.

Jan 9, 2024

CPIB has completed a “robust and thorough” investigation involving Iswaran, and the matter is now being reviewed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Chan said in a written parliamentary reply to PSP’s Poa on behalf of the prime minister.

Jan 18, 2024

Iswaran faces 27 charges – 24 are for obtaining gratification as a public servant, two for corruption and one for obstructing the course of justice. He has pleaded not guilty. The matter is to be adjourned for a pre-trial conference.