Singapore ex-minister S. Iswaran slapped with fresh corruption charges

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.

“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