SINGAPORE: Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said on Tuesday (May 23) that he has “nothing to hide” about his tenancy for a colonial bungalow along Ridout Road and called the allegations that have emerged on the matter “outrageous”.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday afternoon that a review would be conducted relating to the rental of two state properties along Ridout Road by Mr Shanmugam and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
“This must be done to ensure that this government maintains the highest standards of integrity,” he said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday evening, Mr Shanmugam said: “These are public properties. People are entitled to ask questions. I know what I did. I kept to the rules.
“But when questions arise, you know how it works. The government will look into the matter.”
Mr Shanmugam said he had contacted the Prime Minister last week while away on a work trip to suggest an independent review.
This approach is needed “to make sure the system operates with integrity”, he said, adding that doubts about the integrity of ministers cannot be left to fester and be unaddressed.
“I have nothing to hide. We should set out the facts, lay them before parliament and the people. That’s the only way to retain trust,” said the minister.
“And when Parliament next meets in July, the questions will be dealt with.”