Former Transport Minister S Iswaran’s case heard in chambers

The case of former Transport Minister S Iswaran was heard in a High Court chamber on Tuesday morning (11 June) for the Criminal Case Disclosure Conference (CCDC).

Represented by counsels from Davinder Singh Chambers LLC, Iswaran faces a total of 35 charges, including corruption, receiving gratification as a public servant, and obstructing justice.

The CCDC process is a formal system where both the accused and the prosecution disclose information about the case to facilitate the trial process.

It will involve three hearings to resolve matters between the prosecution and the accused before the case is scheduled for trial.

Tuesday’s session appears to be the second, given that the previous CCDC hearing was held on 2 April for the prosecution to submit their case containing information such as evidence on which the prosecution will be relying to prove the guilt of the accused.

Iswaran, represented by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh and other counsels from Davinder Singh Chambers, has earlier pleaded not guilty to all 35 charges.

The 27 Charges Handed Out on 18 January

1. Two Charges of Corruption under Section 6(a) read with Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act:
   • The first charge alleges that in September 2022, Iswaran, as a Minister of the Government of Singapore, corruptly obtained from Ong Beng Seng gratification with a total value of about S$145,434, as inducement for advancing Ong’s business interests in matters relating to a contract between Singapore GP Pte Ltd and the Singapore Tourism Board.
   • The second charge alleges that in December 2022, Iswaran, as a Minister of the Government of Singapore, corruptly obtained from Ong gratification with a total value of about S$20,848.03, as inducement for advancing Ong’s business interests in matters relating to a contract between Singapore GP Pte Ltd and the Singapore Tourism Board, and a proposal for a contract with the Singapore Tourism Board.
2. Twenty-four Charges of Obtaining Valuable Things as a Public Servant, punishable under Section 165 of the Penal Code:
   • These charges involve receiving items with a total value of about S$218,058.95 from Ong for no consideration, committed between November 2015 to December 2021.
3. One Charge of Obstructing the Course of Justice, punishable under Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code:
   • This offence was committed on or about 25 May 2023.

The 8 Charges Issued on 25 March

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

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.

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

Any person who is convicted under Section 165 of the Penal Code can be fined or sentenced to imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

If found guilty of corruptly obtaining gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he faces a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both. Similarly, for obstructing justice, he could face a maximum seven-year jail term, a fine, or both.

Iswaran, who has served as an MP for West Coast GRC for 26 years and was promoted to full minister in the Prime Minister’s Office in 2011, has resigned from the People’s Action Party (PAP) and stepped down from his ministerial and MP positions following the charges.