Singapore PM Wong reminds PAP MPs to ‘remain beyond reproach', warn of risks from those using dinners and hampers to curry favour
CNA reported that In the eight-page letter, Wong reminded MPs to exercise discernment when dealing with the public, noting that while many people are genuine, some may have ulterior motives.
'A few will seek to cultivate you to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour,' Wong reportedly wrote.
'Gift hampers on festive occasions, dinners and entertainment, concert tickets and personal favours big and small are just some of the countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them,' he added.
In the letter, traditionally sent after each general election, Wong stressed that MPs must remain beyond reproach, both in behaviour and in public perception, and avoid any suggestion of impropriety or undue influence.
Wong also advised MPs to generally decline invitations to officiate business openings or similar events, but said they should seek prior approval from party whip Dr Janil Puthucheary if they decide to attend.
The reminder follows recent scrutiny over private dinners involving ministers Chee Hong Tat and Ong Ye Kung and convicted money launderer Su Haijin, whose photos at the gatherings were widely circulated online.
The ministers later said via their press secretaries that they did not know Su, one of 10 individuals convicted in a major money laundering case last year.
The letter also comes in the wake of the conviction of former transport minister S Iswaran, who in October 2024 was sentenced to 12 months' jail for accepting valuables from individuals linked to his official duties.
Iswaran admitted to receiving gifts from Singapore GP's Ong Beng Seng and construction executive Lum Kok Seng, and to obstructing justice by repaying the cost of a flight only after being investigated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
E-hailing firms Maxim, inDrive granted 3-month probation
In May, Apad revoked inDrive Malaysia's operating licence after it reportedly failed to comply with regulations introduced by the agency in 2019. (inDrive pic) PETALING JAYA : Russian-founded e-hailing firms inDrive and Maxim have been placed under a three-month probation period after successfully appealing the revocation of their operating licences. The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) said the two companies were ordered to take corrective measures to continue operating, particularly regarding e-hailing vehicle permits (EVPs). 'To meet this condition, Maxim and inDrive have improved their registration system to ensure all of their drivers have valid EVPs before they can start operating. 'Both companies have also given Apad 'view only' access to their data to make it easier to cross-check their data on EVPs,' it said in a statement. Apad said it conducted a random check on their drivers on July 11 and found that everything was in compliance. The agency and the road transport department had found the improvements made by the companies satisfactory, and agreed to place Maxim and inDrive under a three-month monitoring period, effective tomorrow. 'To ensure the continuous commitment of both operators, their representatives are required to turn up at the Apad headquarters every month throughout the monitoring period. 'These sessions are aimed at allowing Apad to conduct real-time monitoring, with random checks conducted on drivers via the inDrive and Maxim applications,' it said. In May, both firms were ordered to halt operations from July 24 after failing to comply with Apad's regulations introduced in 2019. In September 2022, the road transport department raided inDrive's Malaysian office and discovered that the firm was operating with an expired licence. In 2023, Maxim was also raided by Apad officers for allowing vehicles to operate without a valid permit.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Japan's PM Ishiba to announce resignation next month, says Mainichi
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to meet ruling party heavyweights later today for discussions on the election outcome. (AP pic) TOKYO : Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to announce his resignation by the end of next month, the Mainichi newspaper reported today. Ishiba is facing growing opposition from within his Liberal Democratic Party for his vow to stay in power despite the ruling coalition's bruising defeat in Sunday's upper house election. According to the Yomiuri daily, Ishiba told his close associates yesterday evening that he would explain how he would take responsibility for the election loss once a solution was reached on trade negotiations. In a post on Truth Social posted today, Asian hours, US President Donald Trump said he had just completed a 'massive' deal with Japan that included US$550 billion in investments into the US. Speaking after Trump's post, Ishiba said he was ready to meet or speak over the phone with Trump after being briefed on the details by Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, who has been in Washington for trade talks. 'I can't say until I scrutinise the outcome of the agreement,' Ishiba told reporters when asked how the deal with Washington could affect his decision on whether to step down. In explaining his decision to stay on, Ishiba has stressed the need to avoid creating a political vacuum as Japan faced challenges including difficult trade negotiations with the US that would have a huge impact on the export-reliant economy. 'I will stay in office and do everything in my power to chart a path toward resolving these challenges,' Ishiba said in a news conference on Monday, adding that he intended to speak directly with Trump as soon as possible and deliver tangible results. Ishiba is expected to meet ruling party heavyweights later today for discussions on the election outcome.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Taiwan plans AI projects to boost economy by US$510bil
Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan aims to leverage its information and communications technology sector to become a 'smart technology island'. (EPA Images pic) TAIPEI : Taiwan plans to launch its 'Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects' initiative, aimed at generating more than T$15 trillion (US$510 billion) in economic value by 2040 as it strives to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Premier Cho Jung-tai said in a Facebook post late yesterday that Taiwan aims to leverage its information and communications technology (ICT) sector and world-leading semiconductor manufacturing capabilities to become a global AI influencer and a 'smart technology island'. Under the initiative, Taiwan has identified three core technologies as strategic priorities: silicon photonics, quantum technology and AI robotics. Silicon photonics is a technology that Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, and many other firms in the industry are actively developing. The government aims to position Taiwan as a global leader in silicon photonics by aligning the sector with future AI development needs. Taiwan also hopes to become a key hub for AI robotics by tapping its hardware and ICT supply chains. Industry groups, including one led by Foxconn chairman Young Liu, have backed the move with the formation of the Taiwan AI Robotics Industry Grand Alliance yesterday to support the local development of AI robotics and related ecosystems. Taiwan also plans to establish a quantum technology industry chain. The 10 projects also include the development of sovereign AI – ability to build and control domestic AI technologies – and computing infrastructure, efforts to balance AI development across different regions of the island, and the introduction of AI across a wide range of industries. The government also calls for expanding investment in AI innovation, with more than T$100 billion (US$3.08 billion) in venture capital funding, as it seeks to become a global hub for AI talent and investment. The initiative targets the creation of 500,000 jobs and the establishment of three international-level research laboratories.
