A former Singaporean minister has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for obstruction of justice and accepting illegal gifts, marking the city-state’s first political graft trial in nearly 50 years. S. Iswaran, the ex-transport minister known for bringing Formula One to Singapore, faced 35 charges related to corruption in a country renowned for its low levels of corruption.
The sentence exceeded the prosecution’s request for a six to seven-month term, with High Court Justice Vincent Hoong emphasizing the need to maintain public trust in government institutions. “Trust and confidence in public institutions are the foundation of effective governance, and they can be easily undermined when a public servant appears to fall short of integrity,” Hoong remarked during the sentencing.
Iswaran was found guilty of obstruction of justice and accepting illegal gifts, which included over $300,000 worth of valuables from prominent figures, including Malaysian hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng. His defense team has requested that his prison term begin on October 7, and he is expected to report to the States Court at 4 PM that day.
After being formally charged, Iswaran resigned from his position in January, vowing to clear his name in court. He has already reimbursed approximately $295,000 to the government, and items such as a Brompton bicycle were seized as part of the investigation.
The obstruction charge pertains to an attempt to impede Singaporean authorities from investigating a business class flight covered by Ong, one of the country’s wealthiest individuals. Iswaran also accepted gifts from Ong and Lum Kok Seng, a top director at a construction firm, including whiskey and golf clubs. Neither Ong nor Lum has faced any repercussions thus far.
The attorney general’s office has indicated it will soon decide on potential actions regarding Ong, but no mention was made of Lum. Most of the charges against Iswaran were filed under a rarely invoked criminal law that prohibits public servants from accepting gifts from individuals with whom they have official dealings.
Observers view Iswaran’s trial as one of the most significant political events in Singapore’s history, with potential implications for the ruling People’s Action Party ahead of general elections anticipated by November of next year.
