In a shocking turn of events, Singapore’s Transport Minister, S. Iswaran, has been arrested on corruption charges. The arrest was made public by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Friday, revealing an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption involving Minister Iswaran and Malaysian tycoon Ong Beng Seng. Both individuals have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The arrest of Ong Beng Seng, a billionaire businessman, was initially disclosed by his company, Hotel Properties Limited. The revelation came shortly after The Online Citizen Asia (TOC) published allegations linking Ong to a CPIB investigation related to rumors surrounding the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix, an event predominantly organized by Ong.
The CPIB has not provided specific details about the investigation, keeping it shrouded in secrecy. However, it has been confirmed that Minister Iswaran is assisting with the undisclosed case.
As part of their bail conditions, both Minister Iswaran and Ong Beng Seng have had their passports impounded by the CPIB. However, the bureau has stated that subjects on bail can request permission to travel overseas, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Ong Beng Seng’s request to travel overseas has been granted by the CPIB, but his bail quantum has been increased to S$100,000. The bail quantum for Minister Iswaran has not been disclosed.
Upon Ong’s return, he is required to report to the CPIB and surrender his passport as directed by the agency.
The case has sent shockwaves through Singapore, as both Minister Iswaran and Ong Beng Seng are prominent figures in the country. Ong, the founder of Hotel Properties and a shareholder in numerous businesses, has a net worth of S$1.7 billion. He and his wife, Christina, ranked No. 25 on Forbes’ Singapore’s 50 Richest list in August 2022.
The exact nature and details of the corruption case involving these high-profile individuals remain undisclosed. The public eagerly awaits further updates from the CPIB as the investigation unfolds, shedding light on this troubling affair that has gripped the nation’s attention.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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