SINGAPORE: In a rare case of corruption at high levels in Singapore, Indian-origin Minister S Iswaran has been sacked and arrested.
In a statement, Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said Iswaran allegedly had obtained kickbacks valued at $2.86 lakh from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. The favours included tickets to Formula One Grand Prix race, football matches, musicals and flights on Ong’s private plane.
Iswaran was adviser to the Grand Prix’s steering committee, while Ong owns the rights to the race. The CPIB said Iswaran faces 27 charges. He denied wrongdoings, but also returned the money.
“My family has decided to return the money because we cannot in all good conscience benefit from them when I was unable, on account of the investigations, to discharge my duties as a minister and Member of Parliament,” he wrote.