4-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) Former Transport Minister S Iswaran has been granted an extension of 16 days to remain outside Singapore due to illness. The permission was granted following an urgent application by his lawyers on the final day of the initially approved window. Iswaran, facing multiple charges, including two counts of corruption, had previously received approval to travel to Australia between February 16 and March 4 to assist his son in settling into university.
Responding to media queries, an Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) spokesperson stated, “At an urgent mention at the State Courts today, the defence filed an application to extend Mr Iswaran’s permission to leave jurisdiction by 16 days, until March 19, 2024, as he had fallen ill while in Australia.”
The prosecution did not raise objections to the application, contingent on the fulfillment of enhanced bail conditions.
While details of Iswaran’s illness were not disclosed in the AGC statement, further inquiries have been made to his legal representatives led by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh.
Under the terms of the extension, Iswaran is required to report daily via video call to an investigation officer, providing updates on his medical condition and addressing any potential issues regarding his return to Singapore on March 19. Consent from Iswaran’s bailor is also necessary for the extended stay in Australia.
Upon his return, Iswaran is obligated to surrender his passport to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau on March 20.
During the initial application on February 8, the prosecution did not object to Iswaran’s departure as long as additional bail conditions were met. These included an extra bail sum of S$500,000 (US$372,000) in cash, supplementing his existing bail of S$800,000. Other conditions required him to furnish his travel itinerary and overseas address to an investigating officer, along with maintaining constant accessibility to the officer.
