EX-SINGAPORE TRANSPORT MINISTER ISWARAN PLEADS GUILTY, CONVICTED ON 5 CHARGES

SINGAPORE, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Former Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran was convicted on five charges after pleading guilty following amendments made by the prosecutors on what was set to be the first day of his trial in the High Court on Tuesday.

The charges include four counts related to obtaining valuable items while serving as a public servant and one count of obstruction of justice.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong, began the proceedings by informing the court, presided over by Justice Vincent Hoong, that it would proceed with only four charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code and one charge under Section 204A of the Penal Code.

Iswaran initially faced 35 charges, including two under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

Tai said the prosecution would replace the corruption charges with two charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which penalises public servants obtaining any valuable thing, without consideration, from person concerned in any proceeding or business transacted by them.

All other 30 charges will be taken into consideration during sentencing.

Iswaran was accused of obtaining valuable items worth over S$400,000, including Singapore F1 Grand Prix and international flights tickets, from billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng and Lum Chang Holdings managing director Lum Kok Seng.

The prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of six to seven months, while the defence, led by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, argued in mitigation that the jail term should not exceed eight weeks.

“By pleading guilty, Mr Iswaran has saved the time and resources of the court and the prosecution,” Davinder said, noting that the accused has contributed to the country’s economic and social development.

The 62-year-old, who has been in public service since 1987, is the first political office-holder in Singapore to be tried in court in nearly five decades, making this one of the most high-profile trials in the island republic.

After the lunch break, Justice Hoong requested further submissions from both sides by Thursday. The sentencing date has been adjourned to Oct 3 at 10 am.

When leaving the court, Iswaran made minimal remarks when addressing reporters.

"As you know, my lawyers have stated the position clearly, and as you're well aware, the matter is now sub judice. So, it is not appropriate for me to say anything more,” he said.

-- BERNAMA