FORMER transport minister S Iswaran said on Monday (Oct 7) that he will not be appealing the sentence handed down by the court.
In a statement on Facebook hours before he surrenders to serve his sentence, Iswaran, 62, said: “I accept that as minister what I did was wrong under Section 165. I accept full responsibility for my actions and apologise unreservedly to all Singaporeans.”
It was important, he added, that the prosecution amended the charges against him from corruption charges to those under Section 165, which prohibits public servants from accepting gifts.
A long trial that could extend “well into 2025, and possibly beyond” has also taken a toll on his family’s well-being and weighed heavily on him, he said. “The past 15 months have already been most difficult.
“With this decision, I hope that we can put the pain and anguish behind us, move forward and rebuild our lives together.”
Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail for accepting gifts as a minister, and for obstructing justice. He will surrender himself at 4 pm on Monday at the State Courts to begin serving his sentence.