A Singaporean former minister pleaded guilty to bribery charges on Tuesday after more serious allegations were dismissed, according to local media, as the city-state launched its first fraud trial of a political office holder in more than four decades.
S. Iswaran, the former transport minister who helped bring Formula One to the financial capital, was charged with 35 counts of graft earlier this year in a country often regarded as one of the least corrupt in the world.
However, the Supreme Court proceedings were swiftly deferred, and prosecutors proceeded with five lesser counts — one for obstruction of justice and four for receiving gifts from two individuals, including a millionaire property mogul.
Iswaran, 62, pled guilty to all five charges, with the remaining 30 being considered for punishment, according to Singaporean broadcaster CNA and news website The Straits Times.
“I plead guilty,” he reportedly said after the more severe corruption charges were dropped.
According to The Straits Times, prosecutors were seeking six to seven months in prison for the combined offenses.
The former minister is facing a trial that many believe is one of the most politically significant in the city-state’s history.
It also risks harming the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP)’s credibility ahead of the general elections, which are scheduled for November next year.
Iswaran arrived at the court in a white SUV, declining to answer questions and only saying “good morning” to the reporters gathering outside.
Iswaran resigned in January after being publicly informed of the charges, which included taking gifts totaling more than $300,000.
In his resignation letter at the time, he stated that he intended to clear his name in court.
The charges include obstruction of justice for attempting to hinder Singaporean officials from investigating a business class travel at the cost of Malaysian hotel mogul Ong Beng Seng, one of Singapore’s wealthiest individuals.
The remaining four allegations stem from his acceptance of gifts from Ong, the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, and a top executive at a construction company, which included bottles of whiskey and golf clubs.
Both businessmen have not been punished.
If Iswaran is found guilty, the maximum term for impeding justice is seven years and a fine, while the maximum sentence for taking valuable gifts is two years and a fine.
Salary payback
The majority of the allegations against Iswaran have been brought under a rarely used criminal provision that stipulates it is illegal for public officers to take articles of value from figures with whom they formally work.
According to Iswaran’s lawyers, the businessmen are close friends of his, and he can accept the gifts in his personal capacity.
Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s former prime minister, stated at the time of Iswaran’s resignation that he had promised to refund money collected as part of his salary and allowances since his incarceration.
To discourage corruption, cabinet ministers are paid wages similar to the highest-paid private sector employees.
Lee earlier recognized that his long-ruling PAP had “taken a hit” following a series of political scandals.
Last year, two PAP legislators resigned after an affair.
Previously, two powerful cabinet members were probed for allegedly receiving favors in the renting of huge colonial-era bungalows, but were eventually cleared.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who followed Lee, has stated that the PAP’s anti-corruption position is “non-negotiable”.
Following Iswaran’s resignation, the government said that it will reassess the conditions of its Formula One Grand Prix agreement. This year’s race in Singapore ended last weekend.
According to local media, Singapore’s last political office holder to be tried and charged for corruption was then-minister of state for environment Wee Toon Boon in 1975, who was suspected of accepting bribes worth more than $600,000.