Subramaniam Iswaran, a former senior minister in Singapore, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, marking the first time in almost 50 years that a Singaporean minister has been convicted of corruption.
Iswaran, who once held key positions in Singapore’s government, pleaded guilty to accepting over S$403,000 (about $311,882) in gifts, which included luxury items like Formula 1 tickets, a bicycle, and a private jet ride, all while he was still in office.
Justice Vincent Hoong, who oversaw the case, highlighted that Iswaran’s actions were an abuse of power and damaged the public’s trust in the government. The judge also noted that despite his serious charges, Iswaran seemed confident he would be found not guilty.
This lack of remorse was evident in a letter Iswaran had written to the prime minister before his sentencing. Despite efforts by his lawyers to reduce the punishment to just eight weeks, the court sentenced him to a full year behind bars.
Iswaran’s conviction is especially significant in Singapore, a country known for its strong stance against corruption and clean public image. The case has shaken the People’s Action Party (PAP), the ruling party, which has long been proud of its low tolerance for corruption.
Singaporean ministers are among the highest-paid public officials globally, a strategy aimed at reducing corruption by offering competitive salaries. Despite this, Iswaran still accepted gifts, which violates government rules that require officials to either return or declare any significant presents.
The charges mostly stem from his ties to Ong Beng Seng, a billionaire property tycoon who is also being investigated for corruption. Iswaran tried to cover his tracks when he realized that the authorities were investigating Ong’s associates. He even tried to pay back for a private jet flight to Doha after being warned about the inquiry.
The scandal is one of several political controversies that have rocked Singapore recently, further hurting the reputation of the PAP ahead of the next general election.
Rising living costs and several high-profile scandals have led to growing opposition, and the Workers’ Party, the largest opposition party, has also faced its share of controversy.
BBC reports that despite the shock and disappointment among Singaporeans, the legal system’s handling of this case shows that even powerful political figures are held accountable for corruption.
This reinforces Singapore’s reputation as a country that takes public trust seriously, even when one of its highest-ranking officials breaks the law.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0e1z00vvjlo