Iswaran, previously a senior politician in the long-ruling People’s Action Party, now faces 35 charges in total, up from the initial 27. These include accepting gratifications as a public servant, corruption, and the obstruction of justice.
He has pleaded not guilty to the additional charges, according to local media reports.
Iswaran is accused of receiving the items from Lum Kok Seng, managing director of a company involved in the construction of an MRT station. The Mass Rapid Transit system is the island country’s principal mode of railway transport.
The alleged offences took place sometime between November 2021 and November 2022, the city state’s anti-corruption watchdog said.
The charges fall under Section 165 of Singapore’s Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting gifts from someone they work with in an official capacity.
High pay hasn’t stopped corruption in Singapore, just as in imperial China
High pay hasn’t stopped corruption in Singapore, just as in imperial China
“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted under section 165 of the Penal Code can be fined or sentenced to imprisonment of up to two years or both,” the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said in a statement.
He subsequently resigned from his positions as transport minister and minister-in-charge of trade relations and stepped down as a member of parliament.
Some of the bribes were allegedly given to advance Ong’s business interests in matters related to a contract between Singapore Grand Prix and the country’s tourism board, the watchdog said.
Among the bribes Iswaran is accused of taking include flights on Ong’s private plane and tickets to the Singapore Grand Prix, football matches, and musical show “Harry Potter And The Cursed Child” in Britain.
The 50 tickets he allegedly secured to the Singapore Grand Prix were worth around S$145,000 (US$108,000), while a trip on Ong’s private jet from Singapore to Doha was valued at about S$10,410.
In a letter, Iswaran earlier rejected the charges and allegations made against him, maintaining his innocence.
There can be no compromise nor relaxation, no budging on this, no matter the political price
If found guilty, the former top official could be fined up to S$100,000 or face a jail term of up to seven years, or both. For the obstruction of justice, he could be fined or sentenced to seven years in prison, or both.
The high-profile case emerged in July when Singapore’s corruption watchdog revealed Iswaran was assisting with an investigation, sending shock waves through the city state.
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Singapore’s political scandal deepens as 2 MPs resign amid separate high-profile corruption probe
Singapore’s political scandal deepens as 2 MPs resign amid separate high-profile corruption probe
Singapore’s prime minister-in-waiting Lawrence Wong told local media in January that the party’s “stance on corruption is non-negotiable. This is part of our DNA. There can be no compromise nor relaxation, no budging on this, no matter the political price.”
Ong Beng Seng’s ‘buddy-buddy’ ties with Singapore minister in spotlight amid probe
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It will be the country’s 15th general election, with Lee having led the party in the last four polls.
Iswaran had been involved in politics since 1997 and was appointed to Lee’s cabinet in 2006.
Before his foray into politics, he held senior positions within the bureaucracy as a member of the prestigious Administrative Service, on top of high-ranking roles at state-linked enterprises, such as Temasek Holdings.
Iswaran had served as the leading representative for the PAP’s five-person MP slate in the West Coast group representative constituency, which experienced a closely contested battle during the last general election in 2020.
He eventually secured victory, obtaining 51.68 per cent of the vote.