Singapore’s High Court Sentenced Its Former Transport Minister After 35 Charges

Author: Dian Kencana
October 3, 2024

Former Singapore transport minister S Iswaran on Oct 3, 2024. (CNA)

SEAToday.com, Singapore – On October 3, Singapore’s former Transport Minister, Iswaran, was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty to obtaining valuable gifts as a public servant.

Another 30 charges were considered in the court, adding the number to 35 obstructions of justice.

Previously, the prosecution requested a sentence of six to seven months in jail, while the defense argue for no more than eight weeks.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Hoong, stated he could not agree with either party’s positions and continued to announce the sentence to one year jail in front of over 40 spectators.

Iswaran was charged the heaviest for obtaining hotel tickets and a business class flight to the 2017 Singapore F1 Grand Prix in dealings with Ong Beng Seng resulting 10 months jail.

Earlier on September 24, Iswaran was sentenced with only four chargers for obtaining 14 bottles of whiskey and a Brompton T-Line Bicycle from Lum Kok Seng.

In total, valuable gifts obtained are worth 403,300 Singapore dollars or 311,000 US dollars.

Iswaran’s attorney, Davinder Singh, confirmed his client’s sentence to be delayed until Monday (10/7)