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Singapore

Whisky, golf clubs, Brompton bike: What Iswaran is accused of obtaining in his 8 new charges

Former Singapore Transport Minister S Iswaran now faces 35 charges in total, including two for corruption.

Whisky, golf clubs, Brompton bike: What Iswaran is accused of obtaining in his 8 new charges

Former minister Iswaran (second from left) leaves the State Courts in Singapore on on Mar 25, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)

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SINGAPORE: Former Transport Minister S Iswaran was given eight new charges on Monday (Mar 25), bringing the total number of charges he faces to 35.

In the latest charges, he is accused of obtaining valuable items as a public servant – including bottles of whisky, golf clubs and a Brompton bicycle – between November 2021 and November 2022.

He pleaded not guilty to the latest charges.

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES LINKED TO?

The eight new charges on Monday are under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which makes it an offence for public servants to obtain valuable items from someone involved with them in an official capacity.

Iswaran is accused of obtaining the items from a man named Mr Lum Kok Seng, the managing director of Lum Chang Holdings.

Charge sheets stated Mr Lum's connection with a "T315" contract for addition and alteration works to Tanah Merah MRT station and the existing viaducts.

The S$325 million (US$241 million) contract was awarded in 2016 to Lum Chang Building Contractors, a subsidiary of Lum Chang Holdings.

The works include the construction of an additional platform and concourse in Tanah Merah station, along with two entrances linked by an underpass near the Tanah Merah Kechil Avenue intersection.

It also includes the addition of tracks and viaducts to run parallel to the existing East-West Line, as well as connections to a new depot.

    WHAT IS HE ACCUSED OF OBTAINING?

    The former minister is accused of obtaining nearly S$19,000 worth of items from Mr Lum.

    Here is a breakdown:

    • November 2021: Four bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth about S$1,084
    • January 2022: Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth about S$542, three bottles of L'Evangile 2014 wine worth S$394, three bottles of Pauillac De Latour 2015 wine worth S$186, three bottles of Albert Bichot Domaine du Clos Frantin Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2015 wine worth S$1,177 and three bottles of Pichon Lalande 2010 wine worth S$956
    • January 2022: A TaylorMade golf driver worth S$749
    • May 2022: Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth S$542
    • June 2022: A set of Honma Beres BE-08 Black AQ MX golf clubs worth S$4,420
    • June 2022: A Brompton T Line bicycle worth S$7,908
    • July 2022: Two bottles of M&H Elements Sherry Cask whisky worth S$198
    • November 2022: A Scotty Cameron Phantom golf putter worth S$600 and two golf chippers worth about S$100 each

    If convicted of obtaining a valuable thing as a public servant, Iswaran can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both, for each charge.

    WHAT ARE THE OTHER CHARGES?

    With the additional charges, Iswaran now faces 35 charges in total.

    Iswaran was handed his first 27 charges in January, comprising two of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, one of obstructing justice and 24 of obtaining valuables as a public servant.

    He pleaded not guilty to the first set of charges, which are related to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. 

    Mr Ong owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP. He has not been charged.

    In the first set of charges in January, Iswaran was accused of corruptly receiving more than S$166,000 worth of flights, hotel stays and tickets to events in exchange for advancing the billionaire's business interests.

    He is separately accused of obtaining about S$218,000 worth of valuable items in his capacity as a minister who also dealt with Mr Ong and his company. Iswaran was chairman of the F1 Steering Committee.

    Iswaran resigned from his positions in government two days before his first court appearance on Jan 18. He had previously been placed on a leave of absence pending an investigation by the CPIB. 

    If convicted of corruptly obtaining gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.

    If convicted of obstructing justice, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.

    Source: CNA/nh(mi)

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