Singapore's first ministerial corruption trial in nearly half a century has commenced, with former Transport Minister S. Iswaran at the center of the rare scandal. Iswaran, a former senior politician in the People’s Action Party, faced initial charges of graft, obstructing justice, and accepting gifts totaling 403,000 Singapore dollars. The prosecution later added more charges, bringing the total to 35, to which Iswaran maintained his not-guilty plea.
However, at the trial's outset, prosecutors decided to proceed with only five charges, including public servants obtaining valuable items and obstruction of justice. The remaining 30 charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing, with no reasons provided for this decision.
While the amount involved in Iswaran’s case may seem relatively minor, it is a significant embarrassment for the People’s Action Party, known for its clean image. The last Cabinet minister charged with graft was in 1975, and another was investigated in 1986 but passed away before charges were filed.
Iswaran resigned just before being charged, expressing his determination to clear his name. The trial comes shortly after Lawrence Wong assumed office as Singapore's new Prime Minister, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades in power.
Lee emphasized that Iswaran’s case was handled rigorously in accordance with the law, reaffirming the government's commitment to honesty and integrity. The trial's outcome could potentially impact the People’s Action Party ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for late 2025.
Allegations against Iswaran include receiving gifts from Malaysian property tycoon Ong Beng Seng in exchange for advancing his business interests. These gifts ranged from tickets to sporting events to bottles of alcohol. Iswaran also allegedly received items from Lum Kok Seng, a businessperson with government contracts, with whom Iswaran had knowledge of dealings.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers will determine whether to press charges against Ong and Lum following the completion of Iswaran's trial, based on the evidence presented in court.
