Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues disclosed today that concrete evidence has been obtained regarding a staff member accused of participating in bribery for expedited land allocation. She confirmed that the individual has been apprehended by authorities.
This revelation follows numerous complaints received by the ministry concerning corrupt land transactions in 2023. Speaking at the Ministry’s end-of-year press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Rodrigues emphasized that the termination of the mentioned employee was possible due to solid evidence, while other allegations lacked the necessary substantiation.
In addressing the broader issue of corruption within the Ministry of Housing and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Minister Rodrigues emphasized the challenges faced without concrete proof. She explained, “We cannot take definitive action based on allegations. Obviously, we would examine these individuals more closely… If you don’t have proof of any corrupted activities, there is no possibility for us to just terminate somebody based on an allegation.”
Regarding the terminated employee, Rodrigues noted the ministry’s strong evidence indicating solicitation of money for expediting land applications. “We were able to get evidence on one employee. She was arrested, she was questioned and I believe put on bail. The last I know, that the file is with the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions). So, I assume the police are waiting for the return of that file before charging her,” she stated.
Responding to accusations against another employee in her secretariat, Minister Rodrigues defended him, stating, “That employee that you say that I defended, I merely presented the facts.” She clarified that he had reported the illicit scheme proposed by the arrested employee, demonstrating cooperation with the police investigation.
Nevertheless, Minister Rodrigues reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption and urged those affected by bribery to come forward.
