Former Transport Minister Iswaran pleads guilty to accepting gifts while in office

He also pleaded guilty to one charge of obstruction of justice.

Singapore's Former Transport Minister, S. Iswaran, was convicted after pleading guilty to accepting gifts from two local businessmen while holding a ministerial position. 

The two local businessmen were Hotel Properties Founder Ong Beng Seng and Lum Chang Holdings Managing Director Lum Kok Seng. 

The four charges that Iswaran was convicted of under Section 165 of the Penal Code include obtaining ten Green Room tickets to the 2017 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, valued at $42,265, from Ong in September 2017; receiving an outbound flight on Ong’s private plane from Singapore to Doha on 10 December, worth about US$7,700 ($10.41m); a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha on 10 December, valued at $4.7m; and a business class flight from Doha to Singapore on 11 December, valued at $5,700—all provided by Ong in December 2022. 

Additionally, Iswaran received 14 bottles of wine and whisky, worth about $3.3m, from Lum in January 2022, and a Brompton T-Line Bicycle, valued at $7.91m, from Lum in June 2022. 

According to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), the total amount of gifts Iswaran obtained was S$403.3 million. 

"The accused agreed for these items to be forfeited to the State," the AGC said. 

"The accused also disgorged $380,305.95 to the State, representing the value of the gifts which he consumed, including F1 tickets, overseas events tickets, and alcohol," the AGC added. Apart from the four charges, 

Iswaran also pleaded guilty and was convicted of one charge of obstruction of justice under Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code. 

He was convicted for making a $5,700 payment to Singapore GP Pte Ltd on or around 25 May 2023 to cover the cost of a business class flight from Doha to Singapore that he had taken on 11 December 2022 at Ong’s expense. 

Following his conviction, Iswaran may face fines or imprisonment of up to two years, or both, for charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code. 

Additionally, he may face fines or imprisonment of up to seven years, or both, for charges under Section 204(A) of the Penal Code.