ANKARA

Singapore's transport minister has been sent on leave following the country's anti-graft agency launched a corruption probe against him.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office on Wednesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked Transport Minister S. Iswaran to go on leave until Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) completed its investigation.

“Minister Iswaran is currently assisting CPIB with the investigations, which are ongoing,” said the premier, adding that senior minister of state, Chee Hong Tat, will be acting minister for transport.

“As investigations are ongoing, CPIB is unable to provide further details. CPIB will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law,” said CPIB in a statement.

Singapore is among those countries in the world that give good salaries to its ministers and officials and boasts a corruption-free government.

The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2022 has ranked Singapore as the 5th least corrupt country in the world out of 180 countries with a score of 83.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid