Lee Hsien Loong responds to the "Minister's Rental Scandal Suspects": still has absolute trust in the two ministers. Foreign Minister | Western House | Scandal
On July 3rd, the Singaporean parliament discussed the issue of the Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice, Sammugen, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian, renting a "black and white mansion". Premier Lee Hsien Loong emphasized in his response to inquiries from legislator Pan Liping that Shang Mugen and Wei Wen "did not do anything wrong" and he still has "absolute trust" in them.
According to the Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore on July 3, Li Xianlong said that according to the relevant system of Singapore, the ministers of the country adopt the "naked salary system", do not enjoy benefits, and do not have official residences, so "where the ministers live, whether renting or buying a house, is their personal choice".
Li Xianlong said that when he heard about the controversy surrounding the two ministers renting black and white western-style houses, he did not believe that there was any improper behavior. "I fully believe that my ministers and the officials of the Singapore Land Management Authority handling this matter will do the right thing and handle the rental matter properly. However, after the Land Management Authority issued a statement on May 12th, this issue continues to attract public attention."
Lee Hsien Loong stated that despite his continued confidence in the two ministers and Singapore's system due to public attention, he still agreed to the two ministers' request for an "independent investigation". Lee Hsien Loong has decided to request the Corruption Investigation Bureau to conduct a formal investigation to determine whether there is any corruption or illegal behavior in the incident. Lee Hsien Loong appointed the most senior minister in the Singapore Cabinet, State Councilor and Minister of National Security Coordination, Cheung Chi Hsien, to be responsible for the investigation.
According to Singapore's 8world news website on July 3, Zhang Zhixian reiterated that the Corruption Investigation Bureau did not find any evidence of corruption or criminal behavior in the two rental transactions, and the rental process of the two Western style houses did not deviate from the guidelines and practices of the Land Management Bureau.
According to 8world News, Singapore's "black and white houses" refer to a type of residence built between 1903 and 1941, mostly inhabited by European colonizers and foreign families. These western-style houses are named after their white exterior walls and dark wooden beams, and their architectural style is modeled after the Tudor style architecture prevalent in the late Victorian era, incorporating local Malayan characteristics.
Currently, there are approximately 500 black and white houses in Singapore. Most black and white houses are now state-owned industries. In last year's parliamentary response, Shang Mugen pointed out that the median area of black and white residential land leased by the Land Management Bureau is about 3530 square meters, and the median monthly rent is SGD 13000.