In the case of Ridout, questions about the matter were raised in public and in parliament, Mr Wong noted.
The two ministers also asked for an independent review of the matter, to which the Mr Lee agreed and asked CPIB to investigate the matter, he added.
The investigations eventually concluded that there was no wrongdoing or corruption on the part of the ministers. The findings were published and there was a “full accounting” of the matter in parliament, said Mr Wong.
In contrast, Mr Iswaran’s “case is completely driven by CPIB from the beginning” and “there was no public complaint”, said Mr Wong.
“It was CPIB that discovered the matter through their initial findings and investigations and they felt that there was a need to interview Minister Iswaran as part of further investigations.”
CPIB had been looking into an unrelated investigation on a separate matter earlier, and updated Mr Lee on this investigation in May, said Mr Wong, adding that he was also “kept in the loop” at the time.
CPIB then continued their investigations and updated Mr Lee on their findings last week on Jul 5, and asked to interview Mr Iswaran.
Within a day, Mr Lee agreed with the director of CPIB to open formal investigations, which began yesterday, added Mr Wong.
“I know Singaporeans are concerned and have many questions about this case. I’m unable to provide more information than what I’ve just said because the CPIB investigations are ongoing,” he said.
“So I ask everyone that we allow the investigation to take its course and refrain from any further speculation at this juncture.”
“HOW WE DO THINGS IN SINGAPORE”
Mr Wong said the CPIB investigation was “concrete proof of how we do things in Singapore”.
“We have always upheld a clean and incorrupt system of government, and our track record on this over the decades is clear and evident to all,” he said.
“And this is the foundation of the people’s trust in the PAP (People’s Action Party) government. The Prime Minister and I are fully committed to keeping and preserving this trust.”
The government will maintain a tough, zero-tolerance stance against corruption, and investigate cases that come up, said Mr Wong.
“And whichever way the facts eventually fall, they will be taken to their logical conclusion,” he continued.
“We will be upfront and transparent, and we will not sweep anything under the carpet, even if they are potentially embarrassing or damaging to the PAP and to the government.”