Singapore holds first ministerial-level criminal trial in half a century

Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and four counts of accepting illegal gifts from people with whom he had official business relationships.

Former Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran arrives at the High Court in Singapore on September 24. Photo: Reuters

Two businessmen with government connections gave him gifts, including tickets to Premier League football matches and the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, wine and whisky, golf clubs and a luxury Brompton bicycle, worth a total of S$403,000 ($312,000).

Mr Iswaran, who joined the Singapore cabinet in 2006, is the first Singaporean minister to be tried in court for corruption.

Mr Iswaran, 62, was charged with 35 counts, but at the start of the trial, prosecutors said they would proceed with only five counts, reducing two bribery charges to receiving illegal gifts. Prosecutors will apply to consider the remaining 30 charges for sentencing.

The last previous Singapore minister to be charged with corruption was Wee Toon Boon, who was convicted in 1975 and jailed for accepting gifts in exchange for helping a businessman.

The gift-taking charge carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine. For obstruction of justice, Mr. Iswaran could face up to seven years in prison and a fine. However, prosecutors have asked for a prison term of six to seven months. The court is expected to deliver its verdict later on September 24.

Mr Iswaran was arrested in July last year and accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. Mr Iswaran was an adviser to the Grand Prix steering committee, while Ong Beng Seng owned the rights to the race.

Mr Iswaran resigned shortly before he was charged. Judge Vincent Hoong said he would be sentenced on October 3, The Straits Times reported.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNA, AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuu-bo-truong-giao-thong-singapore-nhan-toi-nhan-qua-bat-hop-phap-post313682.html