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Singapore’s S. Iswaran resigns as transport minister after being charged with taking bribes, including football and F1 tickets, worth some US$298,000
- Iswaran, widely credited for bringing Formula One racing to the city state, faces a possible jail term of up to seven years if convicted
- He and tycoon Ong Beng Seng were arrested last year. Deputy PM Wong acknowledged the case would ‘no doubt’ have an impact on the ruling PAP
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Singapore’s former transport minister S. Iswaran, widely credited for bringing Formula One racing to the city state, pleaded not guilty on Thursday after he was hit with a volley of corruption and bribery charges at a court hearing.
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Iswaran has also resigned from his posts as a member of parliament, minister-in-charge of trade relations and transport minister, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a letter to him that he was “disappointed and saddened” Iswaran was leaving politics “in these circumstances”, but stressed it was necessary to deal with the matter rigorously in accordance with the law.
Lee’s deputy Lawrence Wong told local media that while the case would “no doubt” have an impact on the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), they could not compromise on their zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
Iswaran is facing fines and a possible jail term of up to seven years after being handed 27 charges in all – 24 of which involve obtaining gratification as a public servant, two centre on corruption, and the last pertains to obstructing the course of justice.
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He is accused of receiving bribes in various forms with a total value of close to S$400,000 (US$298,000) from billionaire Ong Beng Seng, the republic’s corruption watchdog said in a statement.
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