SINGAPORE: The government will do what is right, even if a political cost is exacted, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday ( Oct 3 ), the day former minister S Iswaran was handed a one-year prison sentence.  ,
Iswaran, 62, was sentenced to 12 months ‘ jail for obtaining gifts worth about S$ 403, 300 ( US$ 313, 200 ) over seven years. Two traders he considered his companions gave the gifts, and he considered them to be friends.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Mr. Wong said,” We will do what is correct by Singapore and Singaporeans, regardless of the political prices or the personal problems we experience when a partner and friend is imprisoned.”
He expressed , sadness and grief at the manner Iswaran’s political job ended. The primary minister noted Iswaran’s efforts: As a Member of Parliament for 25 years, as well as his Cabinet meetings, leading three ministries- communications and knowledge, travel, and trade and industry
” But his previous achievements do not straight this wrong”, said Mr Wong.
It is our duty to act against a coworker and friend when required, as terrible as that may be. Our political and legislative systems must always function as a fresh, non-corruption environment.
He added that those given the task of public services “must uphold the highest standards of dignity and their do must be without reproach.”
” This is absolutely critical and non-negotiable”, said Mr Wong.
ISWARAN’S Comment
Iswaran received substantially more in the 12 months than the trial had requested.
Justice Vincent Hoong said he was “ultimately unwilling to consent with both the opportunities taken” after considering submissions on statement from both the prosecution and defense.
Davinder Singh, Iswaran’s lead attorney, argued for no more than eight months in prison, while Tai Wei Shyong, Deputy Attorney-General, requested a six to seven-month prison expression.
” I’m of the watch it is acceptable to establish a word in excess of both parties ‘ jobs”, said Justice Hoong. He added that if the prosecution or defense submitted a case, it may lead to a “manifestly insufficient sentence.”
Iswaran had already admitted guilt last Tuesday in what was anticipated to be his first legal test, despite announcing for times that he would be contesting the case.
Following the substitution of two counts of bribery by the trial for Section 165, which forbids public servants from accepting or obtaining useful things from people who work for them in a public capacity.
Four of the five counts against him were based on his alleged alleged alleged alleged alleged alleged offenses, four of which involved obtaining products as a public servant under Section 165. The obstructing justice charge was the most severe of the five.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau ( CPIB ) investigation was first revealed a year ago, and Iswaran was first charged in court ten months later.
Iswaran resigned from office in January. A moment before his scheduled trial on September 24, he voluntarily disgorged$ 380,305.95 to the position. This refers to giving up fraudulently obtained profits, which is different from compensation.
Bottles of whisky and liquor, sport clubs, and a Brompton vehicle are among the items seized from him.
THE Event
Between November 2015 and December 2022, Iswaran obtained gifts like concert tickets from Singapore GP’s lot investor Ong Beng Seng, as well as bottles of wine and vodka from building director Lum Kok Seng.
According to the prosecution, this occurred while Iswaran held assets that had formal relations with the two gentlemen.
Mr Lum’s firm, Lum Chang Building Contractors, entered into a deal worth S$ 325 million with the Land Transport Authority in 2016 for performs on Tanah Merah MRT place and its bridges. In May 2021, Iswaran was appointed carry minister.
In order to organize the yearly Singapore Formula 1 culture, Mr. Ong was connected to two cooperation agreements between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
Iswaran was president of the F1 Steering Committee, established by the government to monitor F1 as a federal job.
From October 2015 to April 2018, he served as the minister for business in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, working for STB under his leadership. He was also minister-in-charge of business relationships from May 2018 until January 2024 when he resigned from business.
However, the prosecutors acknowledged that Iswaran did not intervene in any decisions involving Mr. Lum’s business deal and that there was “nothing to indicate that the F1 deals were drafted to the advantage of the authorities.”
When CPIB was looking into a different topic involving Mr. Ong’s associates and discovered a flight present for an outbound flight on Mr. Ong’s private jet in May 2023, the case was made public.
Iswaran was on that journey, which was fair S$ 10, 410, from Singapore to Doha on Dec 10, 2022. On Mr. Ong’s instructions, his one-night remain at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, his business class flight again, and his trip that went against Mr. Ong’s plan.
Following Mr Ong’s offer to join him as his host, Iswaran , applied for serious individual leave to go on the journey.  , He did not declare the journey to the authorities.  ,
When Mr. Ong learned that the aircraft manifest had been seized by CPIB, he called Iswaran and informed him of this. Iswaran after asked Ong to include Singapore GP costs him for the tour’s bills, and eventually paid S$ 5, 700 for the return trip.
This is the basis for the crime of obstructing justice.