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Singapore
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Singapore ex-minister S. Iswaran slapped with fresh corruption charges

  • The new counts involve some US$14,200 in valuable items the ex-politician allegedly obtained, including bottles of whisky, golf clubs and a bicycle
  • Iswaran is accused of receiving the items from Lum Kok Seng, managing director of a company involved in the construction of an MRT station

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S. Iswaran, Singapore’s former transport minister (centre) leaves the Singapore State Courts on Monday after more corruption charges were filed against him. Photo: Bloomberg
Kimberly Lim
Singapore’s former transport minister S. Iswaran was hit with eight fresh charges on Monday amid a corruption probe that has rocked the city state, with the new counts involving about S$19,000 (US$14,200) worth of valuable items he allegedly obtained, including bottles of whisky, golf clubs and a bicycle.
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Iswaran, previously a senior politician in the long-ruling People’s Action Party, now faces 35 charges in total, up from the initial 27. These include accepting gratifications as a public servant, corruption, and the obstruction of justice.

He has pleaded not guilty to the additional charges, according to local media reports.

Bottles of Johnnie Walker and Buchanan’s whiskies on display at a liquor store. Bottles of whisky were among the valuable items Iswaran allegedly obtained. Photo: Reuters
Bottles of Johnnie Walker and Buchanan’s whiskies on display at a liquor store. Bottles of whisky were among the valuable items Iswaran allegedly obtained. Photo: Reuters

Iswaran is accused of receiving the items from Lum Kok Seng, managing director of a company involved in the construction of an MRT station. The Mass Rapid Transit system is the island country’s principal mode of railway transport.

The alleged offences took place sometime between November 2021 and November 2022, the city state’s anti-corruption watchdog said.

The charges fall under Section 165 of Singapore’s Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting gifts from someone they work with in an official capacity.

“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted under section 165 of the Penal Code can be fined or sentenced to imprisonment of up to two years or both,” the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said in a statement.

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