SINGAPORE COURT JAILS EX MINISTER IN LANDMARK RULING- Iswaran gets 1 year sentence for averting justice and receiving gifts worth over $300,000
A Singapore court sentenced a former minister to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and receiving more than $300,000 worth of gifts, in the first jailing of an ex-cabinet member in a city-state famous for its clean governance.
S. Iswaran, who was a cabinet member for 13 years and has held the trade, communications and transport portfolios, pleaded guilty last week to four counts of improperly receiving gifts and one of obstructing justice.
Presiding judge Vincent Hoong handed down a more severe sentence than what the prosecution sought, saying that the sentence being asked for was “manifestly inadequate” given the gravity of Iswaran’s offences and their impact on public trust.
“Trust and confidence in public institutions were the bedrock of effective governance, which could all too easily be undermined by the appearance that an individual public servant had fallen below the standards of integrity and accountability,” he said in sentencing Iswaran.
Judge Hoong in his ruling said there was a higher level of culpability when a public servant holds high office that wields greater influence over business transactions. The judge allowed him to remain on bail for the next few days and begin his jail term on Monday.
