KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia. Former Singaporean Transport Minister S. Iswaran has pleaded guilty to receiving illegal gifts, marking Singapore’s first ministerial criminal trial in nearly 50 years. On Tuesday, Iswaran, 62, admitted to charges of obstructing justice and accepting gifts from individuals with whom he had official business. The court has scheduled sentencing for October 3.
Initially facing 35 charges, prosecutors opted to proceed with only five. They reduced two corruption counts to charges of receiving illegal gifts and will consider the remaining 30 charges during sentencing. Iswaran received gifts valued at over 74,000 Singapore dollars ($57,000) from Ong Beng Seng, a Malaysian property tycoon, and businessperson Lum Kok Seng. The gifts included Formula 1 race tickets, wine, whisky, and a luxury Brompton bicycle.
Defense counsel Davinder Singh requested a maximum of eight weeks in jail, arguing that Iswaran accepted the gifts out of personal friendship, not for financial gain. Singh emphasized that the gifts did not undermine the government’s integrity. In contrast, prosecutors called for a six- to seven-month prison term, stressing that leniency could suggest tolerance of corruption.
Singapore’s reputation for clean governance is at stake, with the case coming just months after the appointment of new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The ruling People’s Action Party, known for its strict anti-corruption stance, faces scrutiny ahead of upcoming elections.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
