IN A turn of events, former transport minister S Iswaran has pleaded guilty to a reduced set of five charges, on the first day of his trial on Tuesday (Sep 24).
These are one count of obstructing justice and four counts under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting or obtaining anything of value, for free or for inadequate payment, from any person with whom he is involved in an official capacity.
He had previously faced one count of obstructing justice, 32 counts under Section 165 and two charges of corruption.
In January, Iswaran had pleaded not guilty to all 35 charges and maintained his innocence. But on Tuesday, the court heard that the prosecution would be proceeding with just five charges against him.
After an adjournment for the charges to be read to Iswaran, court resumed and he pleaded guilty to all five charges.
The four charges under Section 165 relate to his dealings with billionaire hotel and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, as well as David Lum, the managing director of Singapore-listed Lum Chang Holdings.
These include one charge that was amended from an earlier corruption charge: for obtaining a flight on Ong’s private jet, one night’s stay at the Four Seasons Doha hotel, and a business class flight for a total of S$20,908.03.
The one charge of obstructing justice relates to a repayment of S$5,700 that Iswaran allegedly made to Singapore GP, for a business class flight ticket to Doha.
The first tranche of Iswaran’s trial had been meant to stretch for four days. He had previously stood accused of obtaining more than S$403,000 worth of items during his time as a public servant. Of the earlier 35 charges, 27 related to his dealings with Ong and eight to dealings with Lum.
