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Singapore parliament members file 18 questions to Prime Minister over Iswaran corruption investigation

Transport Minister S Iswaran’s ongoing CPIB investigation prompts 18 critical queries from Singapore Parliament members, spotlighting accountability, transparency, and the role of the Prime Minister in such investigations.

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1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: Parliament members have filed 18 oral questions surrounding the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau’s (CPIB) ongoing investigation into Transport Minister S Iswaran, to be addressed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Parliament Sitting in August.

The questions cover a wide range of concerns, from the timeline of the investigation to whether the CPIB requires the Prime Minister’s concurrence for investigations, and the circumstances of Iswaran’s arrest.

They were primarily submitted by MPs from the People’s Action Party, Workers’ Party, and Progress Singapore Party, including Dr Tan Wu Meng, Mr Don Wee, Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis, Mr Leong Mun Wai, Ms Joan Pereira, Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song, Ms He Ting Ru, Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Yip Hon Weng, Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Ms Hazel Poa, and Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong.

Key points of concern from parliament members include:

  1. The timeline and reasons for commencing a formal investigation into Minister S Iswaran.
  2. The scope of the investigation in relation to Iswaran’s official duties.
  3. Differences in treatment of ministers during CPIB investigations.
  4. The Prime Minister’s authority over CPIB investigations.
  5. The necessity of public transparency regarding such investigations and arrests.
  6. Guidelines for mandatory disclosures when a political office holder is implicated in an investigation.
  7. Whistleblowing channels and their efficacy within ministries.
  8. Potential changes to the Code of Conduct for Ministers in light of this case.
  9. Measures in place to protect civil servants from inappropriate requests from political office holders.
  10. Protocols for declaring benefits received by political office holders and civil servants.
  11. Specifics regarding other individuals arrested in relation to this case.
  12. The relation of Iswaran’s leave of absence from his duties to the ongoing investigation.
  13. Updates on guidelines for whistleblowing for civil and public servants.

The investigation follows CPIB’s announcement on 12 July that Minister S Iswaran was involved in an undisclosed corruption investigation.

However, it wasn’t revealed until three days later that he had been arrested. The case’s specifics involving Iswaran and billionaire businessman Ong Beng Seng who was also arrested, remain undisclosed.

In light of the investigation, PM Lee has instructed Minister Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the conclusion of the investigation.

According to the order paper for 2 August, PM Lee will address the Parliament on the ongoing corruption investigation involving Iswaran and the resignations of former parliament speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and fellow ruling party lawmaker Cheng Li Hui.

Questions filed

  1. Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the PM the timeline of CPIB’s uncovering of the matter regarding the investigation Minister Iswaran is assisting with, and the reasons for commencing formal investigation on 11 July 2023 after PM’s concurrence on 6 July 2023.
  2. Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the PM whether CPIB’s investigation involving Minister Iswaran pertains to actions or decisions taken in his official capacity.
  3. Mr Don Wee: To ask the PM why Minister Iswaran has been placed on leave of absence while assisting CPIB with the investigation, while other ministers continued their duties during similar CPIB investigations.
  4. Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the PM (a) if CPIB needs PM’s concurrence to open formal investigations, (b) circumstances requiring such concurrence, (c) limitations on PM’s power to give or refuse concurrence, (d) instances of PM declining permission for CPIB investigations.
  5. Mr Leong Mun Wai: To ask the PM (a) if all CPIB investigations require PM’s concurrence, (b) types of investigations requiring PM’s concurrence, (c) reasons for such concurrence.
  6. Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the PM if Minister Iswaran’s arrest by CPIB should have been immediately announced for transparency.
  7. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the PM if the government follows a timeline for disclosing information about a political office holder, if it could materially affect public confidence in the government.
  8. Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the PM the considerations that CPIB takes into account while deciding when to announce individuals’ involvement in ongoing investigations and the appropriate level of disclosure.
  9. Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the PM about CPIB’s update to the media on 14 July 2023 regarding Minister Iswaran’s arrest on 11 July 2023 and the reasons for the earlier media release on 12 July 2023 without mentioning his arrest.
  10. Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the PM if he will consider implementing transparent guidelines for mandatory disclosures or announcements when a Minister or political office holder is personally implicated in any formal investigation, to minimize time lag issues and prevent unnecessary public speculation.
  11. Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the PM (a) avenues available in Ministries for whistleblowing on possible corruption cases, (b) number of CPIB investigations through whistleblowing channels in the past three years, (c) proportion of cases surfaced through such avenues in the past three years.
  12. Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the PM if there will be further clarifications or a review of the Code of Conduct for Ministers, regardless of the outcome of CPIB’s investigation involving Minister Iswaran.
  13. Ms Hazel Poa: To ask the PM about measures in place to protect civil servants who choose not to follow inappropriate or non-official instructions or requests from political office holders.
  14. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the PM (a) if political office holders and civil servants are required to declare received meals, (b) threshold value for making such declarations, (c) conditions requiring payment, (d) number of such declarations made in the past year and their total value.
  15. Mr Leong Mun Wai: To ask the PM (a) number of individuals arrested by CPIB in relation to the investigation into Mr. S Iswaran, (b) reasons for not disclosing Mr. Iswaran’s arrest until 14 July 2023.
  16. Mr Leong Mun Wai: To ask the PM (a) if Mr. Iswaran’s leave of absence from 7 to 9 July 2023 is related to the CPIB investigation, (b) whether he discharged official duties or attended official meetings during that period.
  17. Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the PM why CPIB did not disclose their current investigation of Minister Iswaran before 12 July 2023.
  18. Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the PM for an update on the current guidelines for whistleblowing for civil and public servants in respect of wrongdoings by political office holders, including but not limited to criminal or graft offenses, misconduct, wrongful practices, or irregularities.
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Parliament

Minister Shanmugam rejects request for detailed information on visa-free visitor offences: Cites bilateral considerations

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam rejected Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru’s request for detailed statistics on visa-free visitors involved in crimes, citing bilateral concerns. He affirmed current screening measures are sufficient, with no plans for an electronic travel authorisation system.

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1 week ago

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10 September 2024

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On 10 September 2024, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, refused to provide detailed information requested by Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Sengkang GRC, Ms He Ting Ru, regarding visa-free visitors involved in criminal offences in Singapore.

Ms He had asked for statistics on how many visa-free visitors had been arrested or identified as persons of interest for criminal activities from 2021 to June 2024, along with a breakdown of offences by type, number, and country of origin.

She also queried the consideration of enhanced screening measures and the possibility of introducing an electronic travel authorisation system similar to those in other jurisdictions.

In his written response, Mr Shanmugam stated that with over 150 countries on the visa-free entry list, it would not be practical or meaningful to publish crime statistics specific to visitors from these nations.

He added that doing so could carry bilateral implications and potentially send the wrong message to bona fide visitors from these countries.

Mr Shanmugam affirmed that Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) employs a risk-based, multi-layered approach to balance border security with traveller facilitation and assured that the current measures are sufficient. He reiterated that there were no immediate plans to implement an electronic travel authorisation regime, as it would increase inconvenience for visitors.

“We are satisfied with the current measures, and for now, do not see a need for an additional electronic travel authorisation regime. Also, such a regime will make visiting Singapore more inconvenient,” said Mr Shanmugam.

This response followed an oral reply delivered earlier that day by Minister of State (MOS) for Home Affairs, Ms Sun Xueling, who addressed a related question posed by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Mr Leong Mun Wai from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).

Mr Leong had expressed concerns about the potential rise in crime following the introduction of a 30-day visa exemption arrangement for Chinese nationals in February 2024. He specifically questioned whether the recent burglaries involving foreign syndicates had any link to this exemption and whether automated lanes at Changi Airport increased the risk of non-bona fide travellers entering the country.

Ms Sun refuted Mr Leong’s concerns, clarifying that there had been no increase in arrests among short-term visitors from China since the visa exemption came into effect.

She noted that the arrest rate of Chinese visitors had, in fact, decreased compared to the previous year. While acknowledging the involvement of some foreign nationals in criminal activity, she highlighted that the visa regime alone cannot eliminate all risks. Instead, ICA employs enhanced technology, such as biometrics and advanced data analytics, to screen travellers.

Ms Sun also emphasised the importance of the tourism sector to Singapore’s economy, generating S$27.2 billion in receipts in 2023 and employing over 71,000 workers. She argued that closing borders to prevent crimes would not be a viable solution, especially given Singapore’s competition with neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand, which are also working to attract Chinese visitors.

Despite further calls from Mr Leong for additional security measures and tougher penalties for cross-border crimes, Ms Sun reassured that the government continually reviews its laws, including the Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code, to address transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams.

She affirmed that Singapore remains vigilant in adapting its laws and measures to combat evolving criminal trends.

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Parliament

Leong Mun Wai questions why NTUC leaders often come from the ruling party

During the Platform Workers Bill debate on 10 Sept, Mr Leong Mun Wai, NCMP from the Progress Singapore Party, backed WP MP Gerald Giam’s call for an independent NTUC. He expressed concerns about NTUC’s ties to the ruling party, questioning its independence given that its leaders are often from the PAP.

Published

1 week ago

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10 September 2024

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SINGAPORE: Mr Leong Mun Wai, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) from the Progress Singapore Party, voiced support for the Workers’ Party and its MP Gerald Giam’s call for an independent and non-partisan NTUC, separate from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

During a parliamentary debate on the Platform Workers Bill on Tuesday (10 Sept), Mr Leong acknowledged that tripartism is a fundamental aspect of governance that all parties, including opposition ones, seek to foster.

He noted that unions naturally seek political power to effect change but expressed concerns about the extent of NTUC’s relationship with the ruling party.

However he questioned the level of NTUC’s independence from the government.

He pointed out that the NTUC’s secretary-general is often a minister or former minister and that many NTUC leaders come from the ruling party.

“Can you find another trade union in the world where the trade union chief is a minister? Are there any countries? Please let me know if there are,” Mr Leong asked, further noting that few opposition politicians are given appointments in NTUC.

“I think we are entitled to think that the independence of NTUC ought to be better than this.”

Earlier, PAP MP Christopher De Souza criticized MP Gerald Giam for using the term “tether” to describe the NTUC-PAP relationship, emphasizing that the NTUC operates through partnership, alliance, and solidarity rather than subordination.

In response, Mr Giam clarified that when he used the terms “tether” or “untether,” he meant that the NTUC and the PAP should be separate and independent organizations.

He sought to ensure that NTUC does not appear to be biased towards the ruling party.

Mr Giam also raised concerns about NTUC’s structure, particularly questioning why the Platform Associations need a Council of Advisors with the power to dismiss the Executive Council and why these advisors are predominantly PAP members or MPs.

He suggested that this structure indicates a lack of independence for NTUC.

The current NTUC secretary-general is Ng Chee Meng, a former PAP minister who assumed the position in 2018 and continues to hold it despite losing to WP’s new team in GE2020.

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