Netizens spot S Iswaran’s Brompton T Line bicycle featured on his FB reel

On 25 March, S Iswaran, the former Transport Minister, appeared in the State Courts to confront eight new charges under section 165 of the Penal Code.

These charges allege his receipt of valuable items, including whisky bottles, golf clubs, and a Brompton bicycle, from Lum Kok Seng, managing director of construction firm Lum Chang Holdings (LCH).

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) disclosed that the items in question hold a combined value of approximately S$18,956.94.

These acquisitions were linked to Iswaran’s official capacity as Transport Minister, intersecting with Lum’s dealings with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) via Lum Chang Building Contractors.

Notably, the online community observed that a bicycle, resembling the Brompton T Line bicycle mentioned in Mr Iswaran’s latest eight charges, seemingly featured in a Facebook reel posted on his Facebook page.

In the video, Iswaran introduced the cycling path from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) office to One-North MRT Station, using the Rail Corridor.

He was accompanied by Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport.

The reel was published on 8 July last year, just three days before his arrest by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on 11 July 2023.

A netizen commented: “Iswaran Sir, that’s a very expensive bike. We ordinary people cannot afford one.”

Expensive hobby

This doesn’t appear to be the first public appearance of the luxurious bicycle.

Observations on social media pages reveal a photographer capturing Mr Iswaran riding the same bicycle during the Brompton Community Ride in October 2022.

The same bicycle was also featured in an FB reel published on 2 October 2022, showcasing Mr Iswaran riding along the F1 race trail within the first few seconds of the clip.

In another video published on 22 September 2022, Mr Iswaran is again seen riding the same bicycle to promote World Car Free Day.

The Brompton T-Line is a folding bike, touted as the lightest bicycle in the British brand’s lineup, weighing 7.45 kg for the T Line One and 7.95 kg for the T Line Urban.

It boasts a titanium main frame, and carbon fork, and is hand-built in the UK.

The T-Line also features a carbon handlebar, carbon seatpost, new pedals, and CNC aluminium pedals.

A check on Brompton’s official website in Singapore indicates that the price for the bicycle ranges from S$7,908 to S$8,295.

Meanwhile, in other earlier photos, the bicycle ridden by Iswaran appears to be a Birdy P40, a limited edition foldable bike manufactured by Pacific Cycles to commemorate their 40th anniversary.

A check of online prices reveals that this bike could cost S$4,500, including GST, according to Mighty Velo.

Facing 35 charges: Iswaran’s alleged involvement in valuable items worth S$400,000

Iswaran now faces a total of 35 charges relating to items valued at approximately S$400,000.

According to the charge sheet, Mr Iswaran is accused of obtaining the Brompton T Line bicycle in June 2022, valued at S$7,907.50, along with other valuable items from Lum Kok Seng.

During this period, Mr Lum was involved in overseeing the performance of the T315 contract, which entailed addition and alteration works to the existing Tanah Merah Station and viaducts under the auspices of Lum Chang Building Contractors and the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The charges also specify other items acquired by Iswaran from Mr Lum between November 2021 and November 2022:

• 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.
• 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).

The court heard that the charges included two counts of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 24 counts related to receiving items from individuals with whom he had business dealings in his capacity as a public servant, and one charge for obstructing the course of justice under the Penal Code.

According to charge sheets, between 2015 and 2022, Iswaran received “valuable things” exceeding S$384,000 (US$285,000) from Ong, the man who brought Formula One to Singapore.

These included tickets to shows, football matches, and multiple editions of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix.