Ex-Singaporean Minister Bags One Year Jail Term For Corruption

Former Singaporean Transport Minister, S. Iswaran has been sentenced to one year in prison over corruption charges.

Iswaran pleaded guilty to corruption and obstruction of justice charges and received a one-year prison sentence.

Justice Vincent Hoong delivered the sentence, marking the first time in nearly 50 years that a Singaporean minister has been imprisoned for such crimes.

Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Hoong stressed the importance of keeping high-ranking officials free from financial influence.

He imposed a one-year sentence, exceeding both parties’ recommendations. The defence had asked for eight weeks, while the prosecution sought six to seven months.

Iswaran, 62, accepted illegal gifts from Malaysian tycoon Ong Beng Seng and businessperson Lum Kok Seng.

These gifts included over $57,000, Formula 1 race tickets, wine, whisky, and a luxury Brompton bike.

Ong provided these gifts while Iswaran chaired the steering committee for the event, where Ong held the racing rights.

Prosecutors initially charged Iswaran with 35 counts but pursued only five, reducing two corruption charges to accepting illegal gifts. They did not explain why they dropped the remaining charges.

Iswaran’s conviction tarnishes Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party, known for its anti-corruption stance.

This case follows the 1975 conviction of Wee Toon Boon, who accepted gifts for business favours.

Iswaran resigned as a minister before charges were filed.

This high-profile case unfolded after Lawrence Wong took office as Singapore’s new Prime Minister, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers will decide whether to charge Ong and Lum after concluding Iswaran’s case.