A Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) probe, ordered by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has found no evidence of corruption or criminal wrongdoing in the rentals of Ridout Road state properties by ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan. The CPIB’s...
, saying that the offer by Mr Shanmugam was above the guide rent, was incorrect.
“There was no abuse of power or conflict of interest resulting in the ministers gaining any unfair advantage or privilege,” it said. The two reports by CPIB and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on the property rentals will be debated in the next Parliament sitting.The reports noted that the property, with an original land size of 9,350sqm, had been vacant since December 2013.
SLA’s view was that the tenant’s responsibility should not extend to maintain the area beyond the property boundary. Hence, if Mr Shanmugam was to maintain the adjacent land at his own cost, the piece of land would have to be included in the tenancy of the property. Mr Shanmugam himself paid $61,400 to build the car porch. He also stated in his interview with CPIB that he paid over $400,000 for additional improvement works not covered by SLA’s restoration works.After the first three-year term, it was renewed in June 2021 for a second 3-year term, with the rental maintained at $26,500 per month as determined by SLA, considering then prevailing market conditions.
The SLA leasing department accepted the lease proposal, because the final secured rent of $19,000 was not below the prevailing guide rent, which was $18,800. “However, Minister Shanmugam had removed himself from the chain of command and decision-making process. informed the then DS/MinLaw that he would recuse himself of any discussion related to the rental of the property,” it stated.
Both had advertisement signs displayed prominently at the gates of these properties. No. 31 was listed on the State Property Information Online website.
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