PM Lee addresses CPIB investigation and Speaker/MP resignations: 5 key takeaways

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered a ministerial statement to the Parliament on Wednesday (2 August), shedding light on the ongoing investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Transport Minister S Iswaran.

He also addressed the resignations of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament (MP) Cheng Li Hui, who stepped down due to their involvement in an affair.

Here are the five key points to take away from the session:

1. Iswaran's pay cut and MP allowance

PM Lee revealing that Iswaran had been interdicted from his ministerial duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice.

He explained that this was a rare incident with no precedent on how to interdict a political office holder, so he used the current civil service practice as a reference point.

CNA reported that, according to the Public Service Division, the benchmark level of a minister's monthly salary as of 2023 stands at S$55,000, which means Iswaran's reduced pay of S$8,500 works out to about 15 per cent of the benchmark.

2. Minister clarifies anti-graft agency's approach

Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, clarified that the reason that the anti-graft agency did not immediately announce Iswaran's arrest was to gather more facts and to hear his side of the story.

He highlighted the importance of fairness in investigations and stated, "To be fair to the persons involved, law enforcement agencies generally refrain from immediately naming the persons being investigated."

He further explained that operational considerations - such as evidence integrity, confidentiality, and impact on related parties - guide what law enforcement agencies reveal at any given time.

Chan said, "That is why the Prime Minister's initial statement and Deputy Prime Minister's doorstop interview on 12 July took reference from CPIB's press release on the same day.

"This was the proper thing to do because Ministers, including the Prime Minister, should not reveal more than what the Law Enforcement agencies are prepared to disclose. While Ministers do have the final decision-making power, they will usually take the advice of the law enforcement agency."

3. PM Lee affirms zero tolerance for wrongdoing

PM Lee emphasised the PAP government's stance on zero tolerance for suspicions or allegations of wrongdoing in the discharge of official duties, especially possible corruption.

He also highlighted the party's approach in handling personal misconduct cases with sensitivity, stating, "When people slip in their personal lives, the PAP will look at the facts of each case carefully, and deal with the matter as humanely and sensitively as possible..."

The Prime Minister emphasised that the government carefully assesses and evaluates individuals before entrusting them with significant responsibilities.

While many rise to the occasion, some may fall short or even breach established norms of conduct. He cited past corruption cases involving political officeholders.

Such as Tan Kia Gan in 1966, then former Minister for National Development; Wee Toon Boon in 1975, then a Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment; Phey Yew Kok in 1979, then president of NTUC and also an MP; and Teh Cheang Wan in 1986, who was Minister for National Development.

In those instances, the late Lee Kuan Yew, who was Prime Minister then, handled the cases thoroughly, transparently, and with the full force of the law, he added.

"That is still how the PAP government deals with such cases. It has not changed under my charge, and it won't change under my successor either," added PM Lee.

4. Opposition leader calls for ethics adviser

Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh called for the consideration of appointing an ethics adviser and questioned the arrangement of Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui being on the same House committee.

In response, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah clarified that she put forward committee nominations. After the last general election, the opposition's nominations for committee positions were also sought.

5. PM Lee outlines the approach to handling affair

PM Lee explained his approach after learning about the affair between former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui, over two years ago.

He discussed the considerations involved and stated, "An extramarital affair between him and an MP is therefore problematic. It puts other MPs and staff in an awkward position, and it is just not proper."

Despite the political ramifications, he expressed his commitment to carrying out necessary actions in accordance with the law, emphasising the government's dedication to keeping the system "robust and clean".

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