Iswaran gets jail: Key moments from graft probe to sentencing

SINGAPORE: Former Singapore transport minister S Iswaran was handed a jail term of 12 months on Thursday (Oct 3) – a heavier sentence than what the prosecution had asked for.

The 62-year-old pleaded guilty on Sep 24 to five charges, more than a year after news broke that he was involved in a graft probe.

The charges were linked to his dealings with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng and construction company boss Lum Kok Seng.

Here's how events have unfolded since the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) first revealed in July 2023 that he was assisting with an investigation.

Jul 12, 2023: CPIB announces investigation involving Iswaran

On the morning of Jul 12, CPIB announced that then-Transport Minister S Iswaran was assisting with an investigation into a case uncovered by the agency. It did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.

In a three-paragraph statement, the anti-graft agency said it was unable to provide further details because investigations were ongoing.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said separately that day that the CPIB investigation would require Iswaran, as well as other individuals, to be interviewed by CPIB. 

The bureau sits under the Prime Minister's Office.

Mr Lee said he had been briefed by the director of CPIB on Jul 5 regarding a case it had uncovered. The director then sought Mr Lee's concurrence to open a formal investigation.

"I gave Director CPIB my concurrence on Jul 6, following which the formal investigation began on Jul 11," the Prime Minister said. 

He instructed Mr Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation was completed. Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat served as Acting Minister for Transport from Jul 12, before being appointed full Minister on Jan 18.

Iswaran was also Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. At the time, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Trade and Industry said Mr Iswaran's portfolio at the ministry would be covered by other political officeholders during his leave of absence.

Later on Jul 12, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Iswaran's case was "completely driven by CPIB from the beginning" and that there had been no public complaint.

"It was CPIB that discovered the matter through their initial findings and investigations, and they felt that there was a need to interview Minister Iswaran as part of further investigations," Mr Wong said.

The bureau had been looking into an unrelated investigation on a separate matter earlier, and updated Mr Lee on this investigation in May, said Mr Wong, who added that he was also "kept in the loop" at the time.

"We will be upfront and transparent, and we will not sweep anything under the carpet, even if they are potentially embarrassing or damaging to the PAP (People's Action Party) and to the government," he said.

Mr Wong added that the CPIB investigation was "concrete proof of how we do things in Singapore".

He said that Singapore had "always upheld a clean and incorrupt system of government" and that its track record on this is "clear and evident to all".

"I know Singaporeans are concerned and have many questions about this case. I'm unable to provide more information than what I've just said because the CPIB investigations are ongoing," he said.

"So I ask everyone that we allow the investigation to take its course and refrain from any further speculation at this juncture."

Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was seen entering and leaving CPIB headquarters, although it was unclear if and how he was connected to the investigation.

Jul 13, 2023: Mr Iswaran will remain in Singapore, PMO says

In response to queries from CNA, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that Iswaran would remain in Singapore during his leave of absence.

The PMO also said he would have "no access to any official resources and government buildings".

Jul 14, 2023: Ong Beng Seng's arrest is announced by HPL

Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), the company which property tycoon Ong Beng Seng co-founded and where he is managing director, announced on Jul 14 that he had been "given a notice of arrest".

Ong, who is Malaysian and based in Singapore, was also asked by CPIB to provide information in relation to his interactions with Iswaran, the company said in its notice to the Singapore Exchange.

The company added that no charges had been filed against Ong and that he would be travelling from Jul 14. The firm said that Ong would surrender his passport to CPIB and that he was fully cooperating with the anti-graft agency. Bail of S$100,000 (US$75,505) had been posted.

The billionaire businessman has often been credited with playing a key role in a deal struck in 2007 between the Singapore Tourism Board and then Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to bring the first-ever night race to the country. 

He owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.

A contract for Singapore to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix for another seven years was signed in 2022 – the fourth renewal and longest extension.

Iswaran had been actively involved in the government's engagements with F1, including making appearances at press conferences where announcements about the event's future were made.

Race promoter Singapore GP said in a short statement that it was going ahead with preparations for the 2023 event in September. The Singapore Grand Prix would eventually take place on Sep 17.

In response to queries from CNA, CPIB said that Mr Iswaran was arrested on Jul 11 and subsequently released on bail.

This was the first mention of Iswaran being taken into custody since the news broke on Jul 12 that he was assisting with an investigation. The anti-graft agency also said that Ong was arrested on Jul 11 as well and subsequently released on bail.

"As part of bail conditions, subjects' passports are impounded," CPIB said. "Subjects on bail can however make requests to travel overseas. CPIB will assess such requests on a case-by-case basis."

It assessed and acceded to Ong's request to travel overseas, and his bail quantum was increased to S$100,000. Mr Ong was required to report to the bureau when he returned and surrender his passport.

Details on Mr Iswaran's bail quantum and the nature of the investigation were not revealed.

Jul 18, 2023: Iswaran seen at CPIB; PAP holds meeting to address controversies

On the morning of Jul 18, Iswaran was seen at the CPIB building in Redhill for the first time since news of the investigation emerged. He faced about 10 hours of questioning.

The news about the investigation into Iswaran broke about a week after two senior ministers - Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan - faced questions about their rental of state properties in the exclusive Ridout Road area. This culminated in a six-hour parliamentary debate on Jul 3.

Both ministers were cleared of any wrongdoing following an internal review led by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and a separate CPIB investigation.

Then, just days after the announcement about the probe involving Iswaran, PAP Members of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui resigned from parliament and the party after it emerged that they had an affair.

To address the developments and boost morale amongst party members, the PAP held a special meeting on the evening of Jul 18.

Senior party leaders attended the meeting, including PAP assistant secretary-general Chan Chun Sing and assistant organising secretary Alex Yam. Both men are part of the party's Central Executive Committee.

PAP party whip Janil Puthucheary was also seen at the meeting venue - the party's headquarters at New Upper Changi Road.

Aug 2, 2023: PM Lee delivers ministerial statement in parliament

Addressing the Ridout Road saga, the probe involving Iswaran and the resignations of Mr Tan and Ms Cheng in parliament, Mr Lee said that the PAP government had always dealt with corruption and allegations of improper conduct thoroughly, transparently and by applying the full force of the law.

"The way we have handled these incidents shows how seriously the PAP takes our responsibility of governing Singapore, and being accountable to parliament and to Singaporeans," Mr Lee said in a ministerial statement.

In his statement, Mr Lee shed some light on the beginnings of the CPIB investigation of Iswaran.

"Briefly, the facts of the case are these: While investigating a separate matter, CPIB came across some information concerning Minister Iswaran that merited investigation," he said.

"Nobody tipped them off ... There had been no public scandal. CPIB came across something that needed investigating, and proceeded to do their job," he added.

During his statement, Mr Lee also revealed that Iswaran has been interdicted from duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice.

"The specific details in Minister Iswaran's case follow generally how the civil service would deal with a senior officer in a similar situation," the Prime Minister said.

"But this was my decision as Prime Minister, because the political contexts for a minister and a civil servant being investigated and interdicted are different."

According to the Public Service Division, as of 2023, the benchmark level of a minister's monthly salary stands at S$55,000, which meant Iswaran's reduced pay of S$8,500 worked out to about 15 per cent of the benchmark.

Aug 22, 2023: No foreign pressure involved, MinLaw says

Refuting claims made by Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said that the CPIB probe into Mr Iswaran had not being carried out because of foreign pressure.

"CPIB was investigating a separate matter, and came across some information concerning Minister Iswaran," it said. "It then looked into the matter."

MinLaw added that the facts were "stated publicly on multiple occasions", including in statements by Mr Lee and Mr Chan in parliament on Aug 2.

Sep 8, 2023: NCMP Hazel Poa files motion to suspend Iswaran

In a Facebook post, Progress Singapore Party Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Hazel Poa said that she had filed a motion requesting that Iswaran be suspended as an MP "for the remainder of the current session of the 14th Parliament".

This was so that he "no longer receives his MP allowance of S$192,500 (US$141,152) per year while he has been requested by the Prime Minister to not perform any official duties during his investigation by CPIB", she added.

Singapore's lawmakers rejected the motion on Sep 19, voting instead to consider the matter when corruption investigations against Iswaran concluded.

Nov 5, 2023: Singapore "will never let the system go corrupt", says PM Lee

Speaking at the 2023 PAP convention, Mr Lee, who is the party's secretary-general, stressed the need to keep Singapore's system clean, including keeping corrupting influences out of Singapore.

He also touched on the need for the PAP to keep itself clean. This commitment to honesty and incorruptibility is "absolutely non-negotiable", he said.

"We have maintained it for over 60 years now, rigorously enforcing discipline and keeping the party clean," he added. "We have made Singapore one of the cleanest, least corrupt countries, not just in Asia but in the world."

This has not always been so easy to do, he said.

Mr Lee said the PAP must prove itself, especially when it is tested, by putting principles into action "regardless of any embarrassment or political cost" and dealing with the issues "without fear or favour" while getting to the bottom of the matter.

The party must "show Singaporeans and the world that after half a century, the PAP's standards remain as high as ever", he said.

He added: "Singapore is a small place; our system works. If you do something improper, sooner or later it will come to light. When it does, you will be investigated.

"And if it is proved that you did something wrong, you are out and consequences will follow."

This applies not just to its ministers or party leaders, but to every party member.

"Our integrity and honesty must never be compromised and only in that way can we do justice and uphold the trust that Singaporeans have given us," Mr Lee said.

Jan 9, 2024: CPIB probe into Iswaran has concluded, says Chan Chun Sing

In a written answer to a question asked in parliament by Ms Poa, Mr Chan said that the CPIB investigation into Iswaran had concluded.

Replying on behalf of the Prime Minister, he said that the case was being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

Ms Poa had asked for an update on CPIB's investigation of Mr Iswaran.

"I understand that there is much public interest in this matter," Mr Chan said. "I want to give my assurance that this case will be put through the due legal process."

He noted that CPIB had completed a "robust and thorough investigation", and that the matter was now before AGC.

"It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on the matter at this juncture," he said.

Jan 18, 2024: Iswaran pleads not guilty to corruption and other charges

Iswaran showed up at the State Courts for his charging, represented by lawyers including Senior Counsel Davinder Singh. The prosecution was led by Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng.

More than 15 reporters from both local and international press were present for the proceedings, presided over by District Judge Brenda Tan.

Iswaran was given 27 charges – 24 charges of receiving a valuable thing as a public servant, two charges of corruption and one charge of obstructing the course of justice.

He pleaded not guilty.

The corruption charges alleged that in September and December 2022, Iswaran obtained from Ong, the tycoon, more than S$166,200 to advance Ong's business interests in relation to a contract between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board.

The second charge included a proposal for a contract with the tourism board.

Before leaving the courts, Iswaran told reporters he would put out a statement in due course.

Jan 18, 2024: Iswaran resigns from all official roles

Shortly after his charging, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office announced that Iswaran had resigned as Cabinet minister, member of the ruling People's Action Party, and Member of Parliament for West Coast - bringing an end to a political career spanning some 27 years.

He also said he would return all the money received in his salary and allowances as minister and MP, from the beginning of CPIB's investigations in July.

Feb 8, 2024: Iswaran allowed to leave Singapore for Australia

Iswaran was granted approval by the court to leave Singapore for Australia for about two weeks – between Feb 16 and Mar 5 – to help his son settle into university.

This came with additional bail conditions, including an extra bail sum of S$500,000 in cash on top of his existing bail of S$800,000. The bailor, a man with the surname Ng, said he agreed to those conditions.

Iswaran was also required to provide his travel itinerary and overseas address to the investigating officer (IO), as well as remain contactable by the IO at all times.

It was also decided that the case would be transferred to the High Court, with the prosecution citing "strong public interest considerations".

The defence asked for an early trial to be held in the High Court, saying they cannot see why this should not or cannot happen since investigations have taken "a long time". 

The prosecution replied that this was "in consideration" and that the judge's diary in the High Court "ought to be taken into account".

Mar 4, 2024: Iswaran was given permission to remain outside Singapore for an additional 16 days after he fell ill while in Australia. He was required to return by Mar 19.

Mar 20, 2024: The AGC said Iswaran has returned to Singapore and surrendered his passport to the authorities.

Mar 25, 2024: Iswaran receives eight new charges

The former minister is accused of obtaining S$19,000 worth of items, including bottles of whisky, golf clubs and a Brompton bicycle from Lum Kok Seng, the managing director of Lum Chang Holdings.

It is the parent company of Lum Chang Building Contractors, which was involved in several government projects.

In 2016, it won a S$325 million contract for works at Tanah Merah MRT station. That contract was named in the fresh charge sheets.

In a bourse filing, Lum Chang Holdings said that Mr Lum had informed the board that he attended "several interviews" with CPIB in relation to its probe into Iswaran. 

"No charges have been filed against Mr Lum nor has any restriction been imposed on Mr Lum by the CPIB," it added. 

The Attorney-General's Chambers told CNA at the time that it would "take a decision in respect of the investigations against Mr Lum" after the completion of Iswaran's case, similar to what it said about billionaire Ong Beng Seng.

May 8, 2024: Iswaran wins his bid to have all 35 of his charges heard in a single trial instead of two separate trials.

Jul 5, 2024: Iswaran turns up at the High Court in a bid to get the prosecution to hand over all the statements of the witnesses that it intends to call at trial.

Iswaran's lawyers had already struck out once in this attempt in a June hearing not open to the public.

Jul 19, 2024: A High Court judge tosses out Iswaran's bid to compel the prosecution to hand over statements of all its witnesses.

Aug 12, 2024:  The trial date is fixed for Sep 10 to Sep 13, 2024.

Sep 3, 2024: Iswaran fails in his third attempt to compel the prosecution to provide statements of all its witnesses,

Sep 5, 2024: Less than a week before the trial is set to start, the Attorney-General's Chambers announces that the trial will be moved to Sep 24.

Both the prosecution and defence had requested the court to adjourn the start of the hearing.

Sep 24, 2024: Iswaran pleads guilty

Iswaran pleaded guilty on what was expected to be the first day of his criminal trial.

Two corruption charges were amended to lesser charges under Section 165, which forbids all public servants from obtaining any valuable thing from someone involved with them in an official capacity, and one charge of obstruction of justice.

He pleaded guilty to four charges under Section 165 and one charge of obstruction of justice.

Another 30 charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing.

The prosecution was seeking a total sentence of six to seven months' jail, while the defence is seeking no more than eight weeks' jail.

Sentencing was adjourned to Oct 3.

Oct 3, 2024:  Iswaran gets jail

Iswaran was given a jail term of 12 months, a sentence that was heavier than what the prosecution had asked for.

The defence had asked for no more than eight weeks' jail, while the prosecution pushed for six to seven months' imprisonment.

Justice Vincent Hoong said he had considered submissions on sentence from both prosecution and defence but was "ultimately unable to agree with both the positions taken". 

"I'm of the view it is appropriate to impose a sentence in excess of both parties' positions," said Justice Hoong, adding that taking the submission of either prosecution or defence would result in a "manifestly inadequate sentence".

Mr Singh asked for the jail term to be deferred to 4pm on Oct 7. He stressed that this was subject to the defence taking instructions from Iswaran, alluding to the possibility of an appeal. 

He remained out on bail of S$800,000.