A Singapore court on Thursday sentenced former cabinet minister S. Iswaran to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and receiving more than $300,000 in gifts, marking the first imprisonment of an ex-minister in the city-state known for its clean governance. Iswaran, who served in various ministerial roles for 13 years, pleaded guilty to four counts of improperly receiving gifts and one count of obstructing justice.
The sentence exceeded the prosecution’s recommendation of six to seven months, which presiding judge Vincent Hoong deemed “manifestly inadequate” due to the seriousness of Iswaran’s offenses and the potential damage to public trust. “Trust and confidence in public institutions are the foundation of effective governance,” Hoong emphasised, noting that Iswaran’s actions had the potential to undermine these values.
The case has caused widespread shock in Singapore, a nation with a global reputation for its efficient, well-paid bureaucracy and strong commitment to integrity in public service. According to Transparency International, Singapore ranked among the top five least corrupt countries last year. The last corruption-related case involving a Singaporean minister occurred in 1986, though charges were never filed as the minister in question died before any court action.
Iswaran’s charges stemmed from allegations that he accepted expensive gifts, including tickets to Premier League soccer matches, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, and private jet rides, while serving as transport minister. The gifts totaled over S$400,000 (US$308,880). Although initially maintaining his innocence, Iswaran later pleaded guilty to the charges.
The former minister was arrested in July last year, and the case also implicated property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix. Ong has not been charged, but authorities are still deciding whether to take action against him. Judge Hoong underscored the heightened culpability of high-ranking officials who hold influence over significant business dealings, adding that Iswaran’s actions demanded accountability.
Iswaran, who showed no emotion during the court session, was allowed to remain on bail and will begin his sentence on Monday.
Melissa Enoch
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