A Singapore court sentenced former Transport Minister S. Iswaran to 12 months in prison on Thursday for obstructing justice and receiving over $300,000 in gifts, marking the first time a former cabinet member has been jailed in the city-state, renowned for its clean governance.
Iswaran, 62, who served as a cabinet minister for 13 years in various portfolios, including trade, communications, and transport, pleaded guilty to four counts of improperly receiving gifts and one count of obstructing justice. The court’s sentence exceeded the six to seven months recommended by the prosecution, with presiding Judge Vincent Hoong stating that it was “manifestly inadequate” given the severity of Iswaran’s offenses and their implications for public trust.
“Trust and confidence in public institutions are the bedrock of effective governance, and these can be undermined if a public servant is seen to have fallen below standards of integrity and accountability,” Judge Hoong said in his ruling.
Iswaran’s case has shocked Singapore, which prides itself on strong governance and ranks among the world’s least corrupt countries. This is the first corruption case involving a minister since 1986, when a national development minister was investigated for bribery but died before charges were brought.
The charges against Iswaran involved accepting luxurious gifts, including tickets to English Premier League matches, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, and London musicals, as well as a ride on a private jet, valued at over S$400,000 ($308,880). Iswaran was an advisor to the Singapore Grand Prix’s steering committee, and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, a key figure in the investigation, owns the rights to the race.
While Iswaran initially denied wrongdoing, he changed his plea to guilty last week. His two initial corruption charges were amended due to litigation risks, according to the attorney-general’s chambers. Ong Beng Seng has not been charged and has not commented on the allegations.
Judge Hoong emphasized the heightened culpability of public servants in high office who have greater influence over business dealings. Iswaran will begin serving his sentence on Monday.
