A former Singaporean cabinet minister pleaded guilty to charges of receiving illegal gifts on Tuesday in the first ministerial corruption trial in nearly half a century.
Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing justice and four of accepting gifts from people with whom he had official business.
This is the first time a Singaporean cabinet minister has been prosecuted for corruption since Wee Toon Boon, who was convicted in 1975 for accepting gifts in exchange for favors to a businessperson. Another minister was investigated in 1986 but passed away before charges were filed.
Iswaran, 62, initially faced 35 charges, but at the start of the trial, prosecutors announced they would pursue only five, downgrading two counts of corruption to the receipt of illegal gifts.
Singapore’s Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry S. Iswaran speaks during a news conference in Singapore, Sept. 22, 2012, to announce that Singapore will continue to host the Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay City Circuit for the next five years.
Dita Alangkara/AP
Prosecutors said they will apply for the remaining 30 charges to be taken into consideration for sentencing.
No reasons were given for the move.
The case revolves around gifts valued at over 74,000 Singapore dollars (approximately $57,000) from Ong Beng Seng, a prominent Singapore-based Malaysian property tycoon, and Lum Kok Seng, a businessman.
Among the gifts were tickets to Singapore’s prestigious Formula 1 race, expensive wine and whiskey, and a luxury Brompton bicycle.
Ong owns the right to the local F1 race, and Iswaran was chair of and later adviser to the Grand Prix’s steering committee.
Singapore’s Attorney-General’s Chambers stated it would make decisions on whether to charge Ong and Lum after Iswaran’s case concludes.
In a mitigation plea, Iswaran’s defense counsel, Davinder Singh, urged the court to limit any jail sentence to no more than eight weeks.
Singh argued that Iswaran’s acceptance of the gifts was purely based on personal friendships with the men and not motivated by any corrupt intent.
He said that Iswaran recognized his actions were inappropriate and had admitted guilt after the charges were downgraded.
Singh said that there was no suggestion that the integrity or impartiality of the Singaporean government had been compromised.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney General Tai Wei Shyong, called for between six and seven months of jail time.
Tai said that failing to punish Iswaran adequately would send a message that corruption is tolerated in Singapore.
Singaporean ministers are among the highest-paid in the world.
The trial is an undeniable blow to the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has long prided itself on upholding a clean and incorruptible image.
Iswaran resigned just before the charges were officially brought against him.
His trial arrives just months after Singapore swore in a new prime minister, Lawrence Wong, following the retirement of Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades in power.
Lee had previously asserted that Iswaran’s case would be handled in accordance with the law, promising that Singapore’s long-standing reputation for honesty and transparency would not be compromised.
The case could cast a shadow on the PAP ahead of general elections due by late 2025.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
