SINGAPORE: Former Transport Minister S Iswaran returned to court on Monday (Mar 25) to receive eight fresh charges.
This was barely a week after the 61-year-old returned to Singapore from a court-approved trip to Australia, which was extended due to his illness.
The eight new charges are under Section 165 of the Penal Code and allege that Iswaran obtained valuable things including bottles of whisky, golf clubs and a Brompton bicycle from a man called Lum Kok Seng.
This was when Iswaran's official function as then-Transport Minister was connected with the business Mr Lum had with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) through his company Lum Chang Building Contractors.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a separate statement on Monday that the items have a total value of about S$18,956.94.
Iswaran pleaded not guilty as well to these new charges, which brings the total number of charges he faces to 35.
The defence questioned why the new charges were tendered only now, while the prosecution responded that all charges are based on evidence.
Iswaran was first handed 27 charges in January, comprising two of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, one of obstructing justice and 24 of obtaining valuables as a public servant under the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, which related to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.
The first set of charges accuse Iswaran of corruptly receiving more than S$166,000 (US$123,570) worth of flights, hotel stays and tickets to events in exchange for advancing the billionaire's business interests.
He is separately accused of obtaining about S$218,000 worth of valuable items in his capacity as a minister who also dealt with Mr Ong and his company. Iswaran was chairman of the F1 Steering Committee.
S Iswaran arrives at the State Courts on Mar 25, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
S Iswaran arrives at the State Courts on Mar 25, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Iswaran resigned from his positions in government two days before his first court appearance in January.
He had previously been placed on a leave of absence pending an investigation by the CPIB.
If convicted of obtaining a valuable thing as a public servant, Iswaran can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
If convicted of corruptly obtaining gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.
If convicted of obstructing justice, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.
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This was barely a week after the 61-year-old returned to Singapore from a court-approved trip to Australia, which was extended due to his illness.
The eight new charges are under Section 165 of the Penal Code and allege that Iswaran obtained valuable things including bottles of whisky, golf clubs and a Brompton bicycle from a man called Lum Kok Seng.
This was when Iswaran's official function as then-Transport Minister was connected with the business Mr Lum had with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) through his company Lum Chang Building Contractors.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a separate statement on Monday that the items have a total value of about S$18,956.94.
Iswaran pleaded not guilty as well to these new charges, which brings the total number of charges he faces to 35.
The defence questioned why the new charges were tendered only now, while the prosecution responded that all charges are based on evidence.
Iswaran was first handed 27 charges in January, comprising two of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, one of obstructing justice and 24 of obtaining valuables as a public servant under the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, which related to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.
The first set of charges accuse Iswaran of corruptly receiving more than S$166,000 (US$123,570) worth of flights, hotel stays and tickets to events in exchange for advancing the billionaire's business interests.
He is separately accused of obtaining about S$218,000 worth of valuable items in his capacity as a minister who also dealt with Mr Ong and his company. Iswaran was chairman of the F1 Steering Committee.
S Iswaran arrives at the State Courts on Mar 25, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
S Iswaran arrives at the State Courts on Mar 25, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Iswaran resigned from his positions in government two days before his first court appearance in January.
He had previously been placed on a leave of absence pending an investigation by the CPIB.
If convicted of obtaining a valuable thing as a public servant, Iswaran can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
If convicted of corruptly obtaining gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.
If convicted of obstructing justice, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.
Continue reading...