Former Singaporean transport minister S Iswaran has pleaded guilty to five charges of accepting gifts worth thousands of dollars while in office. The 62-year-old admitted to four charges of breaching Section 165 of the Penal Code and one charge of obstruction of justice. He was initially facing 35 charges, but those were reduced as part of his guilty plea. Iswaran, known for bringing the Formula One race to Singapore, was the first political officeholder in four decades to face a corruption trial in the country.
Iswaran was accused of accepting gifts totaling over 400,000 Singapore dollars from two businessmen, including tickets to shows, flights, and a bicycle. While he has paid back most of the money and will forfeit the items received, prosecutors are seeking a jail term of six to seven months. Iswaran’s trial has shed light on the strict anti-corruption laws in Singapore, where civil servants are prohibited from accepting gifts valued over 50 Singapore dollars.
The rare corruption trial has brought attention to the high salaries of Singaporean government officials, which are among the highest in the world to prevent corruption. Iswaran’s legal team, led by a senior counsel from the ruling People’s Action Party, is expected to continue hearings until September 27. This case marks a significant moment in Singapore’s anti-corruption efforts and highlights the country’s commitment to transparency and accountability in government.
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