Singapore’s former Transport Minister S Iswaran pleaded not guilty Thursday to 27 corruption charges, which include allegations of receiving items from billionaire Ong Beng Seng, the tycoon recognized for bringing Formula 1 (F1) to Singapore. Chee Hong Tat has been appointed as the new Transport Minister, succeeding Iswaran. Chee Hong Tat previously served as the acting Transport Minister, following Iswaran’s arrest. State-owned news agency Mediacorp’s Channel News Asia detailed the proceedings Thursday.
Iswaran has been charged with multiple offenses, including corruption and obtaining valuables as a public servant. He pleaded not guilty to 27 charges related to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, involving flights, hotel stays and tickets to events. The charges include corruptly receiving over S$166,000 worth of benefits for advancing Ong’s business interests. Iswaran is separately accused of obtaining about S$218,000 worth of valuable items in his role as minister and F1 Steering Committee chairman.
Iswaran, in a statement, said:
I reject the charges and the allegations against me. I am innocent and will now focus on clearing my name. Even without being asked to do so, I submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister on 16 January 2024. I resigned as Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament and as a member of the People’s Action Party because I believe it was the right thing to do. Further, I informed the Prime Minister on 17 January 2024 that, even though I am innocent, I will be returning all monies that I received by way of salary as Minister and allowances as Member of Parliament from the commencement of CPIB’s investigations in July 2023.
I am disappointed and saddened that you are leaving politics in these circumstances. But it is essential that I deal with such matters rigorously in accordance with the law. It is the right thing to do. We must uphold the integrity of the party and the government. I am sure you understand the importance of doing so. Singaporeans expect no less.
The charges span November 2015 to December 2021, during which time Iswaran is accused of obtaining various items, including tickets to shows, football matches and F1 Grand Prix (GP) events. He is also charged with obstructing justice related to a repayment of S$5,700 allegedly made to the Singapore GP. Iswaran, who was actively involved in government engagements with F1, was arrested in July 2023. The details of the investigation were made public later.
The Prevention of Corruption Act 1960 (PCA) is Singapore’s primary anti-corruption law, enacted on June 17, 1960. Administered by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), it broadly defines corruption, covering monetary and non-monetary bribes, applicable to individuals in both public and private sectors. The PCA imposes strict penalties, including fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment up to 5 or 7 years per corruption count, depending on government involvement. The law has extra-territorial powers, addressing corruption committed by Singapore citizens abroad. It protects informers’ identities and mandates the forfeiture of bribes upon conviction.
Iswaran faces three charges under the PCA and an additional 24 charges stemming from “obtaining, as a public servant, valuable things.”
