AFTER former minister S Iswaran pleaded guilty to five charges on Tuesday (Sep 24), both sides made their arguments for sentencing.
First, the prosecution laid out the facts of the charges, which relate to Iswaran’s dealings with hotel and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng as well as David Lum, managing director of Singapore-listed Lum Chang Holdings.
The charges were one count of obstructing justice and four counts under Section 165 of the Penal Code. Section 165 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.
Iswaran’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, argued that the gifts were received in the context of the former minister’s friendship with the two men and there was no premeditation involved in the offences.
F1 hospitality suite tickets
In 2017, as chairman of the F1 steering committee at the time, Iswaran informed deputy chairman of race promoter Singapore GP Colin Syn that he required 10 green room tickets to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix that year.
The green room is a hospitality suite at the F1 which offers guests a “premium experience”, said Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong. Each green room ticket includes access to an air-conditioned suite with outdoor seating, as well as complimentary food and alcoholic beverages.
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Syn obtained approval for the requested 10 tickets, which came under a contractual obligation between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board. Some time in 2017, the tickets were delivered to Iswaran for distribution to friends, family and others.
Giving Iswaran’s side of the story, Singh said these were complimentary tickets and never meant for sale.
Iswaran did not resell or earn anything from