Singapore PM Lee retains ‘full confidence’ in ministers, says rental probe highlights firm anti-corruption stance

PM Lee says he is fully satisfied with the findings showing ministers Vivian Balakrishnan and K. Shanmugam had done nothing wrong in leasing 2 state-owned bungalows

Lee reiterates the government will not compromise on honesty and integrity as Shanmugam slams ‘untruths’ and ‘innuendos’ over his tenancy

Reading Time:4 minutes

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) and Law Minister K Shanmugam are seen in this composite picture. Photo: dpa, SCMP

Published: 9:24pm, 3 Jul 2023Updated: 9:38pm, 3 Jul 2023

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday said he retained “full confidence” in two senior ministers who were recently probed by corruption investigators on his orders, adding the handling of the matter put on display the ruling party’s unwavering stance against corruption.

Following an urgent investigation ordered by Lee, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) last week said it found Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam had committed no wrongdoing by their respective leasing of state-owned colonial-era bungalows.

The so-called black and white bungalows were built in the 1900s and are now within the overall oversight of the Singapore Land Authority, an agency under the purview of Shanmugam.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had ordered an urgent investigation into the ministers’ leasing of the state-owned properties. Photo: AFP

Lee directed the CPIB to look into the matter on May 17 following online allegations of impropriety that had stemmed from commentaries by opposition figure Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party. The main opposition Workers’ Party had also raised concerns on the matter.

Among other things, Jeyaretnam had questioned whether the ministers were “paying less than market value” rent for the expansive bungalows on Ridout Road, in the country’s upmarket Holland Village district. Following last week’s release of the CPIB findings, the former investment banker asserted that the investigation was a “sham of an independent review”.

Lee on Monday said he was fully satisfied with the CPIB’s findings.

“Minister Shanmugam and Minister Balakrishnan have done nothing wrong. They retain my full confidence,” the prime minister said in remarks at the tail-end of a nearly five-hour deliberation in parliament of the CPIB’s findings.