Lee Hsien Loong
Singapore’s prime minister defended his long-ruling People’s Action Party vehemently on Wednesday, even as he admitted the party had taken a hit as a result of a rare spate of political scandals.
Lee Hsien Loong, on the other hand, committed to “show Singaporeans that we will uphold standards and do the right thing, so that trust is maintained, and the Singapore system continues to work well”.
Singapore has used its image of good governance to attract enormous foreign investments and transform the city-state into a financial and commercial hub.
However, that reputation has been harmed by two significant scandals: the arrest of a cabinet minister amid a corruption probe; and two PAP legislators resigning due to an affair.
Previously, two powerful cabinet members were probed for allegedly receiving favors in their rental of sprawling colonial-era bungalows but they were absolved of any wrongdoing.
Lee Hsien Loong said, “Let me assure Singaporeans that we will protect the integrity of our system of government. For the good of our country, we will carry through what needs to be done in accordance with the law, even if it may be politically embarrassing and painful to the party”.
Prime Minister further said, “I will not flinch or hesitate to do my duty, to keep our system robust and clean”.
“This is how the PAP government can continue to deserve the trust that Singaporeans have placed in us”, Mr. Lee continued.
Lee said he couldn’t go into greater information regarding the inquiry of Transport Minister S. Iswaran, whom he had placed on leave, because it was still ongoing.
Iswaran was arrested and released on bail last month after the powerful anti-graft body the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) opened an investigation into him.
Last month, parliament speaker Tan Chuan Jin and a female politician resigned because of an affair.
The scandals come as the party, which has ruled for the past 64 years, attempts to rebound from its worst-ever election results in 2020 when its share of the popular vote plummeted to a near-record low and the opposition gained more seats.
The PAP, on the other hand, kept its more than two-thirds majority.
General elections are not scheduled until 2025 when a younger generation of leaders is likely to take over.
Lee, 71, previously stated that he will take over leadership to current deputy Lawrence Wong, but provided no date.
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