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The '''Ridout Road rental investigation''' was an inquiry conducted in Singapore in 2023 into the leases of state-owned bungalows by two senior ministers, '''K. Shanmugam''' and '''Vivian Balakrishnan''', members of the '''[[People's Action Party]] (PAP)'''. | The '''Ridout Road rental investigation''' was an inquiry conducted in Singapore in 2023 into the leases of state-owned bungalows by two senior ministers, '''K. Shanmugam''' and '''Vivian Balakrishnan''', members of the '''[[People's Action Party]] (PAP)'''. | ||
The properties, located at 26 and 31 Ridout Road, were rented following processes managed by the '''Singapore Land Authority (SLA)''', which oversees government-owned properties. | The properties, located at 26 and 31 Ridout Road, were rented following processes managed by the '''Singapore Land Authority (SLA)''', which oversees government-owned properties. | ||
The investigation<ref>https://www.pmo.gov.sg/-/media/PMO/PDF/20230628-Ridout-Road-Report-pdf.ashx</ref> | The investigation,<ref>https://www.pmo.gov.sg/-/media/PMO/PDF/20230628-Ridout-Road-Report-pdf.ashx</ref> launched by the '''Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB)''' under the direction of Prime Minister '''Lee Hsien Loong''', aimed to determine if there was any abuse of power or conflict of interest. | ||
An independent review, led by Senior Minister '''Teo Chee Hean''', was also conducted. | An independent review, led by Senior Minister '''Teo Chee Hean''', was also conducted. | ||
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=== Background === | === Background === | ||
Ridout Road is part of the affluent '''Bukit Timah''' area and is designated by the '''Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)''' as a "Good Class Bungalow Area," one of Singapore's most exclusive residential zones. | Ridout Road is part of the affluent '''Bukit Timah''' area and is designated by the '''Urban Redevelopment Authority ({{g |URA}})''' as a "Good Class Bungalow Area," one of Singapore's most exclusive residential zones. | ||
The bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road had been vacant for extended periods before being rented by Shanmugam and Balakrishnan, respectively. | The bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road had been vacant for extended periods before being rented by Shanmugam and Balakrishnan, respectively. | ||
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=== Allegations and Initial Responses === | === Allegations and Initial Responses === | ||
On '''6 May 2023''', '''Kenneth Jeyaretnam''', secretary-general of the '''[[Reform Party]]''', published a blog post <ref>https://kenjeyaretnam.com/2023/05/06/mrs-lhl-said-singapores-system-was-honest-in-that-there-were-no-hidden-perks-for-government-ministers-apart-of-course-from-her-secret-salary-so-can-anyone-shed-any-light-on-what-rents-shanmugam/</ref>questioning how the ministers could afford the high rents associated with the Ridout Road properties. | On '''6 May 2023''', '''Kenneth Jeyaretnam''', secretary-general of the '''[[Reform Party]]''', published a blog post <ref>https://kenjeyaretnam.com/2023/05/06/mrs-lhl-said-singapores-system-was-honest-in-that-there-were-no-hidden-perks-for-government-ministers-apart-of-course-from-her-secret-salary-so-can-anyone-shed-any-light-on-what-rents-shanmugam/</ref> questioning how the ministers could afford the high rents associated with the Ridout Road properties. | ||
He also called for greater transparency in the SLA's leasing process, particularly given that Shanmugam oversaw the SLA as Minister for Law. | He also called for greater transparency in the SLA's leasing process, particularly given that Shanmugam oversaw the SLA as Minister for Law. | ||
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Jeyaretnam also raised concerns about alleged links between the transactions and '''Livspace''', an interior design firm led by Shanmugam’s son. | Jeyaretnam also raised concerns about alleged links between the transactions and '''Livspace''', an interior design firm led by Shanmugam’s son. | ||
Both Livspace and Shanmugam strongly denied <ref>https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ridout-road-bungalow-shanmugam-son-family-livspace-rent-3602651</ref>these claims, labelling them baseless and defamatory. | Both Livspace and Shanmugam strongly denied <ref>https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ridout-road-bungalow-shanmugam-son-family-livspace-rent-3602651</ref> these claims, labelling them baseless and defamatory. | ||
=== Investigation Initiation === | === Investigation Initiation === | ||
On '''23 May 2023''', Prime Minister Lee announced that he had requested reports from relevant agencies and tasked Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean with conducting an independent review. Additionally, the CPIB initiated an investigation to examine the allegations. | On '''23 May 2023''', Prime Minister Lee announced that he had requested reports from relevant agencies and tasked Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean with conducting an independent review. Additionally, the CPIB initiated an investigation to examine the allegations. | ||
== | == Investigation Findings == | ||
=== Property Details === | === Property Details === | ||
The bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road were state-owned properties managed by the SLA. Both had been vacant for several years before the ministers’ leases. | The bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road were state-owned properties managed by the SLA. Both had been vacant for several years before the ministers’ leases. | ||
==== | ==== 26 Ridout Road (Shanmugam) ==== | ||
[[File:26 Ridout Road.png|thumb|Google Map capture of 26 Ridout Road in August 2021]] | [[File:26 Ridout Road.png|thumb|Google Map capture of 26 Ridout Road in August 2021]] | ||
* Vacant since December 2013. | * Vacant since December 2013. | ||
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[[File:Satellite 26 Ridout Road.png|center|thumb|Construction of a large swimming pool and car porch, as well as the cutting down of large swathes of trees. (Google Earth satellite in September 2019)]] | [[File:Satellite 26 Ridout Road.png|center|thumb|Construction of a large swimming pool and car porch, as well as the cutting down of large swathes of trees. (Google Earth satellite in September 2019)]] | ||
==== | ==== 31 Ridout Road (Balakrishnan) ==== | ||
[[File:31 Ridout Road.png|thumb|Google Map capture of 31 Ridout Road in August 2024]] | [[File:31 Ridout Road.png|thumb|Google Map capture of 31 Ridout Road in August 2024]] | ||
* Vacant since July 2013. | * Vacant since July 2013. | ||
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* Both leases complied with SLA procedures, and there was no abuse of power or conflict of interest. | * Both leases complied with SLA procedures, and there was no abuse of power or conflict of interest. | ||
== | == Parliamentary Debate == | ||
The debate in Singapore’s Parliament on 3 July 2023 centred on the rental of government-owned black-and-white bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road. | The debate in Singapore’s Parliament on 3 July 2023 centred on the rental of government-owned black-and-white bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road. | ||
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Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean presented findings from investigations into the matter, while Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law, contributed legal clarifications during the session. | Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean presented findings from investigations into the matter, while Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law, contributed legal clarifications during the session. | ||
=== | === K Shanmugam’s Decision to Rent 26 Ridout Road === | ||
'''Reason for Rental:''' | '''Reason for Rental:''' | ||
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---- | ---- | ||
=== | === Vivian Balakrishnan’s Rental of 31 Ridout Road === | ||
'''Reason for Rental:''' | '''Reason for Rental:''' | ||
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Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean remarked, "That the Prime Minister did not hesitate to call the CPIB in to investigate two senior ministers is a signal of how seriously we take such matters of incorruptibility and its absolute value in our system." | Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean remarked, "That the Prime Minister did not hesitate to call the CPIB in to investigate two senior ministers is a signal of how seriously we take such matters of incorruptibility and its absolute value in our system." | ||
=== | === Opposition Concerns === | ||
During the parliamentary debate, Members of Parliament (MPs) raised questions about the rental of government-owned black-and-white bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road by Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan. These questions were based on allegations first highlighted by opposition figures and subsequent public discourse. | During the parliamentary debate, Members of Parliament (MPs) raised questions about the rental of government-owned black-and-white bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road by Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan. These questions were based on allegations first highlighted by opposition figures and subsequent public discourse. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
== | == POFMA directions issued over Ridout Road rentals == | ||
The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office issued directions to address falsehoods circulating about the Ridout Road rentals. | The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act ([[POFMA]]) Office issued directions to address falsehoods circulating about the Ridout Road rentals. | ||
The government clarified that the rental arrangements involving Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan adhered to proper processes and were consistent with market valuations. | The government clarified that the rental arrangements involving Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan adhered to proper processes and were consistent with market valuations. | ||
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Despite the judgment, Lee Hsien Yang continues to deny wrongdoing and maintains his criticism of the ministers’ actions. | Despite the judgment, Lee Hsien Yang continues to deny wrongdoing and maintains his criticism of the ministers’ actions. | ||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Events]] | |||