2023-07-15 04:35:31
The Singaporean Minister of Transport, put on leave following the opening of an investigation by the anti-corruption body also targeting one of the richest residents of the city-state, has been arrested, announced this body.
Minister S. Iswaran was “arrested on July 11, 2023» et «later released on bail“, told AFP the Bureau of Investigation of Corrupt Practices (CPIB) Friday at the end of the day. Hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng, one of Singapore’s wealthiest people, was also arrested the same day and also released on bail, the CPIB said.
The authority did not give details relating to the investigation carried out in the city-state, a country which is among the least corrupt in the world. In Singapore, ministers receive salaries equivalent to the best salaries in the private sector, in order to discourage corruption.
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Although the passports of those arrested have been seized, the CPIB assured to examine requests for travel abroad “case by case“. He said he had “granted Ong Beng Seng’s request to go abroadbut indicated that he had increased his bail to 100,000 Singapore dollars (nearly 70,000 euros). “On his return, Ong Beng Seng is required to report to the CPIB and surrender his passportadded the anti-corruption body.
Cooperation of the Minister in the investigation
The investigation targeting the Minister of Transport was extended to the billionaire following the CPIB became aware of the latter’s involvement in the case. Hotel Properties Limited, of which Ong Beng Seng is the managing director, owns Four Seasons and Hilton hotels and has establishments in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.
In a filing to the Singapore Stock Exchange on Friday, the group said Ong Beng Seng received a “notice of arrestfrom the CPIB and that he had paid his deposit. Malaysian permanent resident in Singapore, Ong Beng Seng contributed to the establishment of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in the city-state in 2008.
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His private company Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board last year renewed the contract to host the Grand Prix until 2028. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong asked Mr. Iswaran to to go on leave, the CPIB having for its part assured that the Minister “was currently collaboratingto an ongoing investigation. The head of government said the anti-corruption body had asked his consent for a formal investigation which would involve questioning the minister, among other people.
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