A Singapore court has sentenced former minister Subramaniam Iswaran to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and accepting over $300,000 (Ksh.38.7 million) worth of gifts, marking the first time a former cabinet member in the city-state known for its clean governance has been jailed. Iswaran, who served as a cabinet minister for 13 years and held positions in trade, communications, and transport, pleaded guilty last week to four charges of improperly receiving gifts and one count of obstructing justice.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed disappointment in a statement, saying that although it was painful to take action against a colleague and friend, “it is our duty to do so when necessary.” Wong emphasized that Singapore’s government and political system must remain clean and corruption-free. Wong took over as Singapore’s fourth prime minister in May 2024.
The gifts Iswaran received came from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who gave him tickets to Premier League soccer matches, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, London musicals, and even a ride on a private jet. Ong, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix, will face charges in court, according to the hearing list.
Judge Vincent Hoong handed down a harsher sentence than the six to seven months requested by the prosecution, deeming it “manifestly inadequate” due to the severity of Iswaran’s crimes and their impact on public trust. Hoong stressed that trust and confidence in public institutions are fundamental to good governance, which could be easily compromised by the misconduct of a public servant.
The case has shocked Singapore, a country ranked among the world’s top five least corrupt nations, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Despite the country’s stringent anti-corruption stance, PM Wong acknowledged that “some individuals will be tempted and will go astray,” but in Singapore, they will be held accountable for their actions.
The last corruption case involving a Singaporean minister occurred in 1986, when the then-national development minister was investigated for bribery but died before formal charges could be filed. Subramaniam Iswaran’s case, however, has drawn significant attention in Singapore, an Asian financial hub known for its strict anti-corruption policies. Iswaran, 62, was accused of accepting more than S$400,000 ($308,500) in expensive gifts while serving as transport minister, from two businessmen with whom he had official dealings.
The former minister faced 35 charges, including two initially corruption-related, which were later amended to reflect the receipt of gifts while holding public office. The investigation, which started after his arrest in July last year, shocked many in Singapore, a country that prides itself on its clean governance.
Iswaran had previously denied the allegations, stating he would fight to clear his name, but last week pleaded guilty to five charges. He faced intense media scrutiny upon arriving in court but remained emotionless throughout the session. The court allowed him to remain on bail for a few more days, with his prison term set to begin the following Monday.
