Former Singapore minister S Iswaran faces trial on corruption charges

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Former Singapore Transport Minister S Iswaran is set to face trial on September 24, 2024, in one of the country’s biggest corruption cases in decades. Iswaran, 62, is accused of accepting over 400,000 Singapore dollars ($306,000) in gifts from Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng and Lum Kok Seng between 2018 and 2021. The gifts include F1 tickets, Premier League match tickets, flights, and a Brompton bicycle.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) launched a months-long investigation, making Iswaran the first political officeholder in nearly 40 years to face corruption charges. Despite stepping down from office and leaving the People’s Action Party (PAP) earlier this year, Iswaran denies the charges, claiming he viewed the businessmen as personal friends.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong affirmed the government's commitment to upholding the law. The charges stem from a rarely-used provision of the Singapore Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting valuables without proper compensation.

Iswaran's legal team, led by senior counsel Davinder Singh, will begin presenting their case in a trial expected to continue until September 27. Among the 56 witnesses is Iswaran's wife.

This marks Singapore’s first corruption trial involving a minister since 1986. The ruling party, PAP, faces the challenge of maintaining public trust with the general election due by November 2025.