SINGAPORE: S Iswaran, the former minister of transport in Singapore, said in a statement posted on Facebook on Monday ( October 7 ) that he is not appealing his 12-month jail sentence. He was found guilty of five crimes.
” I will not be appealing the word handed down by the court”, he wrote.
He claimed that it was essential to him that the trial changed the allegations against him in relation to fraud.
” I acknowledge that what I did as a Minister was improper under Area 165. I repent without reservation and take complete responsibility for my actions.
” My family’s welfare and the emotional burden on my loved ones of a longer trial extending also into 2025, and perhaps beyond, has also weighed heavily on me”, said Iswaran.  ,
” The prior 15 decades have already been most difficult. I hope that we can move ahead and begin rebuilding our lives together with this choice.
He thanked” all who have stood up for me with strength and steadfastly for me in the darkest time.”
” I am so really touched by my mother’s like, prayers and help.  , I am obliged to my friends and community officials for their unfailing support, trust and encouragement”, said the former secretary.
” I’m glad to my attorneys and to the numerous people who have expressed their concern and support for me on social media and in person.
The greatest honor of my existence was serving my electorate and Singaporeans for the past three years, he concluded. My family and I look to the future with love and renewed hope as this chapter of my life comes to a nearby.
Iswaran will turn himself in on Monday at 4 p.m. to commence his prison sentence.
Iswaran was on Thursday handed the jail sentence for obtaining gifts worth about S$ 403, 300 ( US$ 313, 200 ) over seven years from two businessmen, and for obstruction of justice.
Another 30 costs were taken into consideration.
Following the prosecution’s alteration of two corruption charges to those under Section 165 of the Penal Code, the 62-year-old admitted guilt on September 24 on what was supposed to be the first day of his test.
A public servant is subject to the provisions of Section 165 when he or she obtains useful products from a person who may be involved in legal proceedings or a company that has a connection to his or his official duties.
Iswaran received a longer prison sentence than the trial had requested.
Davinder Singh, Iswaran’s lead attorney, argued for no more than eight months in prison, while Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong pushed for a six to seven-month prison term.