Lawrence Wong Responds to CPIB Investigation of Transport Minister S Iswaran

When it comes to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), people would associate it with the Ridout Road Saga. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament that he hoped no one else in Parliament would have to undergo a CPIB investigation. He might have jinxed it, because today, it’s reported that Transport Minister S Iswaran is assisting in a CPIB probe.

Pretty sure it’s not due to the rental of any colonial bungalow.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has since come out to speak about this.

Lawrence Wong Responds to CPIB Investigation of Transport Minister S Iswaran

DPM Lawrence Wong spoke to the press this afternoon about this investigation, and provided more context.

Firstly, he said that this has nothing to do with the Ridout Road saga.

Apparently, this might’ve taken place even before the Ridout Road saga; according to DPM Wong, in May, CPIB had been looking into an unrelated investigation on a separate matter earlier, and updated Mr Lee on this investigation while keeping DPM Wong in the loop.

So yes, as MPs repeatedly use the word CPIB earlier this month in Parliament, PM Lee and DPM Wong might not be associating it with Ridout Road.

DPM Wong said that the investigation wasn’t due to a public complaint. “It was CPIB that discovered the matter through their initial findings and investigations and they felt that there was a need to interview Minister Iswaran as part of further investigations,” he said.

DPM Wong added that the CPIB investigation was “concrete proof of how we do things in Singapore”.

“We have always upheld a clean and incorrupt system of government, and our track record on this over the decades is clear and evident to all… We will be upfront and transparent, and we will not sweep anything under the carpet, even if they are potentially embarrassing or damaging to the PAP and to the government.”

As for his MP duties, DPM Wong said that Members of Parliament from West Coast will cover for Mr Iswaran as it will be “difficult” for him to undertake his duties while a CPIB probe is ongoing.

DPM Wong also urged “everyone to refrain from speculation.”

The Curious Case of S Iswaran

On 5 July, the CPIB director informed PM Lee about the case and sought his agreement to commence a formal investigation, which would include interviewing Mr Iswaran, among others.

Having received the concurrence from PM Lee the following day, a formal investigation was launched on 11 July. At present, the agency has declined to disclose additional information about the case.

During the ongoing investigation, PM Lee has asked Mr Iswaran to take a leave of absence. In his stead, the Senior Minister of State, Chee Hong Tat, will serve as the Acting Minister for Transport.

One thing is for sure: CPIB have been very, very busy.