PM Lee Reveals Iswaran’s Salary Reduced to $8,500 Amid CPIB Probe

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in Parliament on August 2 that Transport Minister S Iswaran’s salary has been slashed to $8,500 a month while he is on a leave of absence, pending the outcome of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau’s (CPIB) investigation. This represents a drastic reduction of at least 85% from the benchmark ministerial salary of $55,000, equivalent to $1.1 million annually.

PM Lee explained that there are no established rules for suspending a political office holder and referenced civil service practices for this decision. He emphasized the difference in the political context for ministers versus civil servants facing investigations.

The Prime Minister revealed that the CPIB informed him on May 29 about potential misconduct involving Iswaran. Following a briefing on July 5, he approved a formal investigation on July 6. Iswaran, along with hotelier Ong Beng Seng, was arrested on July 14, with details of the investigation still under wraps.

In response to questions from Members of Parliament, PM Lee addressed concerns regarding transparency and the timing of public disclosures. He reiterated that the government would handle the case thoroughly and transparently, as has been the practice in previous corruption cases under the People’s Action Party (PAP).