‘Disappointed and saddened’ but it is Govt’s duty to act when needed to stay clean: PM Wong on Iswaran
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Iswaran’s sentence was meted out by Justice Vincent Hoong of the High Court on Oct 3.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
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SINGAPORE – While “disappointed and saddened” at the way former transport minister S. Iswaran’s political career had ended, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said it is his team’s duty to act when necessary to ensure Singapore’s system of government and politics always stay clean and free from corruption.
“We will do what is right by Singapore and Singaporeans, regardless of the political costs or the personal pain we feel when a colleague and friend has been jailed,” he said in a statement on Oct 3 after Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail
PM Wong said those entrusted with public service must uphold the highest standards of integrity, and their conduct must be beyond reproach.
“This is absolutely vital and non-negotiable,” he added.
Iswaran had earlier pleaded guilty
He also admitted to a fifth charge of obstructing the course of justice.
Section 165
He reiterated what Justice Vincent Hoong had said in sentencing Iswaran – that the essence of the offence under Section 165 was the damage to the trust in, and the integrity of, public institutions, stemming from the perception that public servants may be cultivated by offers of valuable items from interested individuals.
The more senior the public servant, the higher would be the culpability and the greater the impact on the public interest, the judge had said.
PM Wong acknowledged Iswaran’s significant contributions as an MP for more than 25 years and as a minister in the Ministry of Communications and Information, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Ministry of Transport, but said these do not right his wrong.
“As painful as it is to act against a colleague and friend, it is our duty to do so when necessary,” said the Prime Minister.
No political system is immune from human frailties, he noted.
“However stringently we act against corruption, from time to time, some individuals will be tempted and will go astray.
“In Singapore, they must expect their actions sooner or later to come to light, whereupon they will be held to account,” said PM Wong.
This was what happened in Iswaran’s case, he said.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had come across information that implicated Iswaran while investigating a separate matter, and brought the matter to the attention of then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Lee immediately gave his concurrence for CPIB to commence formal investigations, which the agency pursued thoroughly and proactively, PM Wong said.
The public prosecutor assessed the findings independently and decided to charge Iswaran.
Iswaran then resigned as a minister, MP and member of the People’s Action Party.
PM Wong said Singapore’s system ensures that public officers are held accountable, and that no one is beyond scrutiny or above the law.
“My team and I will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and propriety,” he said.
“The integrity of the Singapore system and the tone of our society depends critically on the senior political leadership remaining clean and incorruptible, and unflinching in acting against corruption wherever it is discovered.”
