"T315" contract named in Iswaran's case was awarded to Lum Chang's subsidiary in 2016

On Monday (25 March), former Transport Minister S Iswaran faced an escalation in his legal woes, as he was hit with an additional eight charges under section 165 of the Penal Code, bringing the total to 35 charges, including corruption allegations.

Section 165 prohibits public servants from receiving valuable items from individuals involved with them in an official capacity.

Iswaran, who assumed the role of Transport Minister in May 2021 and resigned in January 2024, stands accused of accepting items worth nearly $19,000 from Mr Lum Kok Seng (林國城), the managing director of Lum Chang Holdings (LCH, 林增控股).

These items, including a Brompton bicycle, golf clubs, and whisky bottles, were allegedly obtained between November 2021 and November 2022.

According to Singapore state media the Straits Times (ST), Iswaran allegedly knew of Lum's association with a Land Transport Authority (LTA) contract for works at Tanah Merah MRT station through Lum Chang Building Contractors (LCBC), a subsidiary of Lum Chang Holdings.

Charge sheets mentioned Mr Lum's connection with the "T315" contract, valued at S$325 million, which was awarded to LCBC in October 2016.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the project encompasses the construction of an additional platform and concourse at Tanah Merah station, along with two entrances linked by an underpass near the Tanah Merah Kechil Avenue intersection.

It also involves the addition of tracks and viaducts parallel to the existing East-West Line, as well as connections to a new depot.

A 2016 report from ST highlighted LTA's acknowledgement of LCBC's expertise in infrastructure and building projects, both domestically and internationally.

Notably, the firm has been involved in various significant projects, including the construction of Bukit Panjang Station of Downtown Line 2, as well as several Circle Line stations such as Paya Lebar, Dakota, Mountbatten, Stadium, and Nicoll Highway.

In August 2019, Khaw Boon Kwan, who served as Minister for Transport from 2015 to 2020, honoured LCBC with the LTA Contractors Challenge Shield for their commendable work on the existing Tanah Merah Station and viaducts.

In addition to the "T315" contract, Lum Chang Building Contractors secured a substantial S$799 million contract focused on constructing a 1.95km section of the North-South Corridor (Tunnel) between Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 and Ang Mo Kio Ave 9.

Following Iswaran’s charges on Monday, LTA stated in a release that they haven’t awarded any contracts to Lum Chang Building Contractors since 2019.

In addition to its collaborations with LTA, Lum Chang Building Contractors has a history of designing and constructing other MRT stations, including the Bukit Panjang MRT Station and associated tunnels along the Downtown Line.

Beyond its work with LTA, Lum Chang Building Contractors has also undertaken projects with Singapore’s national water agency, PUB.

In a September 2022 Facebook post, Mr Iswaran shared that Lum Chang Holdings received the Merit Award at the People's Association Community Spirit Awards 2022 for their continuous efforts in building social capital in West Coast.




In November 2022, Mr Iswaran revealed plans to repurpose a 1-kilometre viaduct, slated for decommissioning, into a green corridor for pedestrians and cyclists, aligning with sustainable transport infrastructure initiatives.

Managing Director in Lum Chang named in Iswaran’s 8 fresh charges

Currently, Mr Lum’s name is not listed in the judiciary hearing.

CPIB noted that, as with the earlier charges, the Court has approved the Prosecution’s request for Mr Iswaran's eight additional charges to be transferred to the General Division of the High Court.

When asked by District Judge Brenda Tan on Monday morning, Iswaran maintained his plea of not guilty to the additional charges.

The charges specify the items acquired by Iswaran:

• Four bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky valued at S$1,084.46.


• Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky valued at S$524.23; Three bottles of L’Evangile 2014 wine valued at S$394.20; Three bottles of Pauillac De Latour 2015 wine valued at S$186.31; Three bottles of Albert Bichot Domaine du Clos Frantin Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2015 wine valued at S$1,177.21; and three bottles of Pichon Lalande 2010 wine valued at S$955.80.


• A TaylorMade golf driver valued at S$749.


• Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth S$524.23


• A set of Honma Beres BE-08 Black AQ MX golf clubs valued at S$4,420.


• A Brompton T Line bicycle valued at S$7,907.50.


• Two bottles of M&H Elements Sherry Cask whisky valued at S$198.


• A Scotty Cameron Phantom golf putter valued at S$600, along with two golf chippers valued at S$100 each.

Earlier on 18 January, Mr Iswaran was charged in the State Courts with  27 offences, including corruption, receiving gratification as a public servant and obstructing justice.

The 61-year-old entered a plea of not guilty to all charges linked to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng.

He had also tendered his resignation from Parliament and the People’s Action Party (PAP).