Singapore court rules S. Iswaran can leave for Australia to help son settle into university, but with extra bail conditions

Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, who faces multiple charges including corruption, has been granted approval to leave Singapore for Australia for about two weeks, with additional bail conditions.

The 61-year-old returned to court on Thursday for the judge’s decision on his travel application, three weeks after he was handed 27 charges relating to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng.

Iswaran was given permission to leave for Australia between February 16 and March 4 to help his son settle into university.

The prosecution had no objections as long as Iswaran adhered to additional bail conditions – including an extra bail sum of S$500,000 (US$372,000) in cash on top of his existing bail of S$800,000.

Defence lawyer Senior Counsel Davinder Singh and Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng – were absent in court on Thursday.

Their subordinates attended the hearing instead – with Navin Thevar making the application on Iswaran’s behalf, and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jiang Ke-Yue responding for the prosecution.

Thevar said the defence filed the application for Iswaran to leave the country, mainly because “he needs to settle his son into university”.

He added that the defence accepts the conditions set out by the prosecution.

Apart from the additional cash bail, Iswaran is required to provide his travel itinerary and overseas address to the investigating officer, as well as remain contactable by the IO at all times.

The bailor, a man with the surname Ng, said he agreed to those conditions. When approached by CNA to explain his relation to Iswaran, Ng did not respond.

District Judge Brenda Tan approved the travel application and imposed the bail conditions asked for by the prosecution.

Iswaran’s case will also be transferred to the