SINGAPORE — Transport Minister S Iswaran is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with investigations into a case it has uncovered.

CPIB, which revealed this in a press release on Wednesday (July 12), did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.

"CPIB acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this case because a minister is being interviewed by CPIB. As investigations are ongoing, CPIB is unable to provide further details," the agency said.

It added that it will investigate this case "thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law".

"Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. CPIB investigates all cases without fear or favour and will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt activities."

In a separate statement released on the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) website, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that he was briefed by the director of CPIB last Wednesday regarding a case that the bureau had uncovered.

"I gave director (of) CPIB my concurrence on July 6, following which the formal investigation began on July 11. Minister Iswaran is currently assisting CPIB with the investigations, which are ongoing," PM Lee said. 

He has also instructed Mr Iswaran to take a leave of absence until these investigations are completed.

In Mr Iswaran’s absence, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be Acting Minister for Transport.

Mr Iswaran first joined the Singapore Administrative Service in 1987, serving in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) before being seconded to the National Trades Union Congress.

The Administrative Service is made up of up-and-coming as well as senior public service leaders, including those heading ministries or statutory boards. 

He was later appointed as the first chief executive officer of the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda). Apart from his role as Sinda's CEO, Mr Iswaran was also director for international trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in the lead-up to Singapore’s hosting of the World Trade Organization's Ministerial Conference in 1996.

He had a brief stint in the private sector as director for strategic development at Singapore Technologies, and later as managing director of state-owned investment firm Temasek Holdings.

Mr Iswaran has been elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in six General Elections since 1997.

Prior to his Cabinet appointment in 2006, he served on several Government Parliamentary Committees, and as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from September 2004 to June 2006.

Mr Iswaran also held ministerial positions in the Ministry of Communications and Information, MHA, and MOE.

Apart from his current position as Minister of Transport, he is also Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations at MTI.

In a parliamentary speech on May 8, Mr Iswaran addressed questions from MPs about meeting the transport needs of all Singaporeans and the cause of high Certificate of Entitlement premiums due to the Government's need to maintain zero annual growth for the car population in the country.

He was also present in Parliament sittings earlier this month. 

As of Wednesday, his last Facebook post was on June 30 about his visit to Liechtenstein earlier that week where he met with the country's leaders and ministers from the European Free Trade Association.