A Singapore cabinet minister has been charged with corruption, in a rare case that has shocked a nation which prides itself on squeaky-clean governance.
Subramaniam Iswaran pleaded not guilty to 27 charges including “obtaining gratification as a public servant”.
He is known for overseeing Singapore’s tourism industry around the time when the Formula One Grand Prix made its glitzy debut in the city-state.
Mr Iswaran quit his post in government on Thursday.
Charge sheets released by prosecutors revealed allegations that he was gifted more than S$160,000 ($119,145; £93,850) worth of flights, hotel stays and Grand Prix tickets, in exchange for advancing property tycoon Ong Beng Seng’s business interests.
He is also accused of receiving tickets to West End musicals and football matches.
Mr Iswaran was arrested last year along with Mr Ong, who was instrumental in bringing the F1 race to Singapore in 2008. Mr Ong was named in all of Mr Iswaran’s charges, often as the party offering the alleged bribes.
On Thursday, in a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Iswaran wrote: “I reject the charges and am innocent.”
Besides announcing his resignation, he also said he would return his salaries and allowances since investigations into his case started last July.
Mr Iswaran was put on a leave of absence when he was arrested, but he was still being paid S$8,500 a month. As an MP, he was also receiving an allowance of more than S$15,000 a month.
Singapore’s lawmakers are among the highest-paid in the world, with ministers earning a starting salary of more than S$45,000 a month. Leaders have justified this by saying it would combat corruption.
