Singapore transport minister S Iswaran resigns; faces charges of corruption
NBCJan 29
Singapore Minister Charged in Rare Corruption Case
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The Facts
Singapore's Transport Minister S. Iswaran resigned from his cabinet role and the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) on Thursday after being charged with 27 offenses, to which he pleaded not guilty.
According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, the charges include corruption, obstruction of justice, and the receiving of "valuable things" from a prominent real estate tycoon, marking the first ministerial graft case in the city-state in nearly four decades.
The Spin
Narrative A
Ahead of national elections next year, Singapore has once again shown its rigorous commitment to fighting graft and keeping the system clean — even in the rare cases where a cabinet minister is the defendant. The city-state has a spotless image and reputation when it comes to corruption, and the government will continue to uphold that, whatever it takes.
Narrative B
As a sitting cabinet minister in Singapore has now been charged with more than two dozen criminal offenses in a high-profile corruption case, it's clear that the country is no longer a stranger to political scandals as the government lacks transparency and accountability. Rampant malpractices and hypocrisy have become the norm under the leadership of Lee Hsien Loong.