Affair and Corruption Scandal Rocks Singapore Politicians

“No system is truly perfect. You appoint people, sometimes things go wrong," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

AFP/SOE THAN WIN

Tan Chuan-jin, during his time as Minister of Manpower of Singapore, raised the Southeast Asian Games federation flag after it was handed over during the closing ceremony of the 27th SEA Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on December 22, 2013. Tan resigned from the position of Speaker of Parliament of Singapore on July 17, 2023 due to a scandal involving infidelity.

A series of scandals involving infidelity and corruption have shaken several top Singaporean politicians in recent weeks. This upheaval comes at a time when Singapore is undergoing a transition from the control of the Lee family to the hands of other politicians whose names are not yet clear.

On Monday (17/7/2023), Singapore was shocked with two cases of infidelity. The Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament, Tan Chuan-jin and Member of Parliament, Cheng Li Hui, announced their resignations. The reason was that they had been having an affair for several years.

"There is no system that is completely perfect. When you are promoting people, sometimes there are mistakes," said Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong regarding Tan and Cheng.

Lee admitted to having heard rumors of a relationship between two of his party colleagues prior to the 2020 election. Tan and Cheng were both cautioned by the People's Action Party (PAP) leadership to end their affair. As they continued, PAP requested that they step down. Lee confirmed that he also requested that Tan and Cheng resign.

Also read: Singapore's Minister of Transport Disturbs the Government due to Corruption

Before announcing his resignation, Tan was condemned by the opposition faction. He was considered to have used harsh words towards other parliament members in one of the meetings at the end of last year.

AP/DAKE KANG

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended the Boao Forum in Hainan, China on March 30, 2023.

Amidst the criticism, the opposition camp was also rocked by the issue of infidelity. Key officials of the Workers' Party, Leon Perera and Nicole Seah, were caught on camera having an intimate dinner. The location and time of the incident were not disclosed, but it is clear they are not a couple. The Workers' Party stated that the video is currently being investigated before any further action is taken.

Corruption case

The tremors within the ruling party of Singapore since its establishment, known as the PAP, are not only related to personal issues of its members. In recent weeks, the party has been shaken by corruption and bribery scandals.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau of Singapore (CPIB) has named Minister of Transport and Acting Minister of Trade of Singapore, S Iswaran, as a suspect. The case also involves billionaire Ong Beng Seng, who brought the Formula 1 race to Singapore. The CPIB has not provided a detailed explanation about the case that implicates them.

What is clear is that both Ong and Iswaran have been asked to surrender their passports. Iswaran, on the other hand, has been suspended during the investigation process.

AFP/ROSLAN RAHMAN

Minister of Transport and Acting Minister of Trade of Singapore, S Iswaran, delivered the opening speech at the Changi High-Level Aviation Conference in Singapore on May 17, 2022.

Lee Hsien Loong and two senior PAP politicians, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Vivian Balakrishnan, have had different fates. Along with his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong was once accused of receiving tens of thousands of Singapore dollars in discounts to purchase an apartment built by Ong's company.

The 1995 case was not widely reported in Singapore. The coverage only existed when Lee explained the case in parliament. In addition, both Lees continued to hold their respective positions.

Lee did not suspend Shanmugaratnam and Balakrishnan during their investigation by the CPIB. The investigation was conducted as they were suspected of renting state property at a lower price. Balakrishnan is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, Shanmugaratnam serves as the Minister for Social and Family Development. He has also announced his candidacy for the Singapore presidential election.

Shanmugaratnam and Balakrishnan both rented the government-owned house in the Queenstown area. The house they rented is located 1 kilometer away from the Singapore Zoo.

KEMENTERIAN LUAR NEGERI RI/POOL/ANTARA FOTO/M RISYAL HIDAYAT

Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan (left) had a discussion with Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (PMC) and the United States in Jakarta, Friday (14/7/2023).

Lee ordered the CPIB to investigate the allegation. The CPIB concluded that there were no violations by both senior politicians.

Also read: Jokes Lead to Singapore-Malaysia Tensions

The case presents two sides at once. On one hand, the case confirms Singapore's readiness to investigate allegations of corruption without discrimination. On the other hand, the case shows that Singaporeans are becoming more vocal in criticizing the PAP. Criticism of the PAP is becoming more frequent as the party's parliamentary seats are reduced in the 2020 election.

The PAP is trying to maintain its image ahead of the 2025 elections. Infidelity and corruption will not help the PAP to maintain its image. (AFP/REUTERS)