Investigations by the People's Action Party (PAP) have confirmed that its former potential election candidate Ivan Lim was not involved in any of Keppel Offshore & Marine's controversial Brazilian projects, a party spokesman told The Straits Times.
"His public statements on this matter were truthful and factual," the spokesman added.
Mr Lim had withdrawn from contesting the 2020 General Election following allegations of possible misconduct several days before Nomination Day, saying at the time that the allegations surrounding him had eclipsed the core issues of the election.
PAP leaders said then that they would look into the allegations made against him after the election.
On Tuesday (April 12), the party spokesman said the PAP takes a serious view of the concerns raised by Singaporeans, and had conducted a thorough fact-finding exercise, which covered two aspects.
First, whether Mr Lim's public statements that he was not involved in any of the controversial commercial deals of Keppel O&M in Brazil that were subject to the investigation of the United States Department of Justice were true.
Second, allegations relating to his behaviour in interacting with others.
The spokesman said Mr Lim's public statements on his non-involvement with the controversial Brazilian projects were truthful and factual.
Accusations that he was involved in those deals had been prompted by reports that he had worked on the Espirito Santo floating production storage and offloading vessel project.
The PAP's investigations found that the project Mr Lim oversaw was delivered to SBM Offshore, a company headquartered in the Netherlands. It was therefore not one of the projects that became controversial.
In addition, his responsibility had been to oversee the execution of projects in Keppel Shipyard, and he was not involved in negotiating any commercial deals.
Addressing the issue related to Mr Lim's behaviour in interacting with others, the party spokesman noted that the PAP had received a range of feedback, both positive and negative, about his behaviour.
"Perceptions on such matters are varied and subjective. But what is clear is that there is no question about Mr Lim's integrity and honesty, and his sincerity in wanting to serve the community," the spokesman added.
The statement also pointed out that while Mr Lim did not stand in the 2020 General Election, he has continued to serve as a volunteer in educational and other support programmes for lower-income families in Jurong.
Mr Lim had been walking the ground in Jurong GRC and was expected to be fielded in the constituency.
The spokesman said the party acknowledges that how its candidates interact with others in their day-to-day lives is relevant for their suitability to be considered election candidates, and that the recruitment of good political candidates is vital to the PAP and its leadership renewal.
"That is why we have developed a systematic and rigorous process for selecting candidates. This process will continue to evolve and be improved, especially given the intense public scrutiny that candidates are put under."
The spokesman said the party will ensure that its candidates are considered and evaluated fairly, so that it can put forward good and committed candidates from a range of backgrounds, representing the different aspirations and concerns of Singaporeans.
"The PAP will continue to do our best to find, select and field candidates with good character, competence and passion to serve Singapore and Singaporeans," he added.
Shortly after Mr Lim was announced as one of the PAP's new faces for the 2020 General Election, allegations about his conduct emerged online.
These included posts accusing him of elitist behaviour and of being arrogant as a national service commander.
However, there were also posts by others who knew Mr Lim, defending him and speaking about his character and positive qualities.
Prior to withdrawing his candidacy, he had issued a clarification in response to some of the initial allegations about his character and the claims about his involvement in the Brazil projects.
"His public statements on this matter were truthful and factual," the spokesman added.
Mr Lim had withdrawn from contesting the 2020 General Election following allegations of possible misconduct several days before Nomination Day, saying at the time that the allegations surrounding him had eclipsed the core issues of the election.
PAP leaders said then that they would look into the allegations made against him after the election.
On Tuesday (April 12), the party spokesman said the PAP takes a serious view of the concerns raised by Singaporeans, and had conducted a thorough fact-finding exercise, which covered two aspects.
First, whether Mr Lim's public statements that he was not involved in any of the controversial commercial deals of Keppel O&M in Brazil that were subject to the investigation of the United States Department of Justice were true.
Second, allegations relating to his behaviour in interacting with others.
The spokesman said Mr Lim's public statements on his non-involvement with the controversial Brazilian projects were truthful and factual.
Accusations that he was involved in those deals had been prompted by reports that he had worked on the Espirito Santo floating production storage and offloading vessel project.
The PAP's investigations found that the project Mr Lim oversaw was delivered to SBM Offshore, a company headquartered in the Netherlands. It was therefore not one of the projects that became controversial.
In addition, his responsibility had been to oversee the execution of projects in Keppel Shipyard, and he was not involved in negotiating any commercial deals.
Addressing the issue related to Mr Lim's behaviour in interacting with others, the party spokesman noted that the PAP had received a range of feedback, both positive and negative, about his behaviour.
"Perceptions on such matters are varied and subjective. But what is clear is that there is no question about Mr Lim's integrity and honesty, and his sincerity in wanting to serve the community," the spokesman added.
The statement also pointed out that while Mr Lim did not stand in the 2020 General Election, he has continued to serve as a volunteer in educational and other support programmes for lower-income families in Jurong.
Mr Lim had been walking the ground in Jurong GRC and was expected to be fielded in the constituency.
The spokesman said the party acknowledges that how its candidates interact with others in their day-to-day lives is relevant for their suitability to be considered election candidates, and that the recruitment of good political candidates is vital to the PAP and its leadership renewal.
"That is why we have developed a systematic and rigorous process for selecting candidates. This process will continue to evolve and be improved, especially given the intense public scrutiny that candidates are put under."
The spokesman said the party will ensure that its candidates are considered and evaluated fairly, so that it can put forward good and committed candidates from a range of backgrounds, representing the different aspirations and concerns of Singaporeans.
"The PAP will continue to do our best to find, select and field candidates with good character, competence and passion to serve Singapore and Singaporeans," he added.
Shortly after Mr Lim was announced as one of the PAP's new faces for the 2020 General Election, allegations about his conduct emerged online.
These included posts accusing him of elitist behaviour and of being arrogant as a national service commander.
However, there were also posts by others who knew Mr Lim, defending him and speaking about his character and positive qualities.
Prior to withdrawing his candidacy, he had issued a clarification in response to some of the initial allegations about his character and the claims about his involvement in the Brazil projects.
