Singapore ex-minister jailed in rare graft trial
Singapore‘s Indian-origin former Transport Minister S Iswaran has been sentenced to 12 months in jail on Thursday by the High Court for obtaining gifts worth about SGD 403,300 over seven years, from two businessmen he considered his friends. The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to four charges relating to receiving gifts and one blocking justice on September 24, the first day of trial proceedings, cutting short what was set to be a protracted trial with 56 prosecution witnesses.
In sentencing, Justice Vincent Hoong said he had considered submissions on a sentence from both prosecution and defence but was “ultimately unable to agree with both the positions taken”. In his sentencing remarks, Justice Hoong emphasized that trust and confidence in public institutions are the bedrock of effective governance.
The judge added that the former minister abused the position to accept gifts worth about SGD 403,300 (USD313,200). He said, “This can all too easily be undermined by a public servant who falls below standards of integrity and accountability.” The judge said it was significant that Iswaran had made public statements rejecting the charges as false.
“In a letter to the Prime Minister, Iswaran said he rejected the charges and was innocent, and believed he would be acquitted. Thus, I have difficulty believing that he was remorseful,” The Straits Times quoted the Judge as saying. As Justice Hoong addressed the court, Iswaran looked down and took notes.
The judge added, “The higher the office held by the offender as a public servant, the higher his level of culpability.” He said such individuals set the tone of public servants in conducting themselves with high standards of integrity, and they must avoid any perception that they are susceptible to influence to financial benefits.
Iswaran, a political veteran from the ruling People’s Action Party, resigned from office in January and made a voluntary disgorgement of SGD 380,305.95 to the state a day before his intended trial on September 24. This refers to giving up illegally obtained gains and differs from restitution. Gifts such as bottles of whisky and wine, golf clubs, and a Brompton bicycle were also seized from him.
Between November 2015 and December 2022, Iswaran obtained valuables like musical, football, and Formula 1 tickets from Singapore GP majority shareholder Ong Beng Seng, as well as bottles of whisky and wine from construction boss Lum Kok Seng. This was while Iswaran held portfolios that had official dealings with the two men, said the prosecution.
Lum’s company, Lum Chang Building Contractors, entered into a contract worth SGD 325 million with the Land Transport Authority in 2016 for works on the Tanah Merah MRT Station and its viaducts. Iswaran became Transport Minister in May 2021.
Ong, a hotelier, was linked to two facilitation agreements between the Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to handle the annual Singapore Formula 1 race. Iswaran was Chairman of the F1 Steering Committee, established by the government to oversee F1 as a national project.
He was also Minister for Industry in the Ministry of Trade and Industry from October 2015 to April 2018, with STB under him. He was also minister-in-charge of trade relations from May 2018 until January 2024 when he resigned from office.
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He can become a Minister here in India. What is he doing, sitting there?