24-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through Singapore’s political landscape, former transport minister S. Iswaran is set to stand trial at the High Court on 24 September. This marks the first time in nearly five decades that a Singaporean political office-holder will face criminal proceedings, underscoring the gravity of the charges and the nation’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity in public office.
The trial, scheduled to commence at 10am and continue until 27 September, with additional dates set for November 2024 and January to March 2025, has captured the attention of both the public and legal observers. Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong will lead the prosecution, while Senior Counsel Davinder Singh heads Iswaran’s defence team.
At the heart of the case are 35 charges levelled against the 62-year-old former minister. The majority of these – 32 in total – relate to items valued at over $237,000 that Iswaran allegedly obtained from two prominent businessmen: billionaire hotelier and Formula One race promoter Ong Beng Seng, and David Lum, managing director of Lum Chang Holdings.
The items in question range from tickets to high-profile events such as Formula One races and football matches to luxury goods including whisky, golf clubs, and a Brompton bicycle. These charges fall under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting or obtaining valuables from individuals with whom they have official dealings.
The remaining three charges are equally serious, with two for corruption and one for allegedly obstructing the course of justice. The latter charge stems from Iswaran’s alleged repayment of $5,700 to Singapore GP for a business-class flight from Doha to Singapore, purportedly taken at Mr Ong’s expense through the company.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from 56 prosecution witnesses, including high-profile figures such as Ong Beng Seng and his wife, Christina Ong, as well as David Lum. Notably, Iswaran’s wife, Kay Mary Taylor, and his former personal assistant are also listed among the witnesses.
This case has reignited discussions about the stringent rules governing gift acceptance in Singapore’s public service. Civil servants are prohibited from retaining gifts worth more than $50 unless they pay the market value to the Government. Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing emphasised in Parliament last August that political office-holders adhere to similar principles, guided by a code of conduct for ministers that has been in place since 1954.
The rarity of such prosecutions – with only three known cases related to this law in the early 1950s – highlights the exceptional nature of Iswaran’s trial. It serves as a stark reminder of Singapore’s uncompromising stance on corruption and misconduct in public office.
