- Singapore ex-minister gets prison in landmark corruption case
- Subramaniam Iswaran has been sentenced to 12 months in prison
- He pleaded guilty to accepting gifts worth around $311,000
- The case has shocked Singapore which has a squeaky clean image
Singapore ex-minister gets prison in landmark corruption case
Subramaniam Iswaran, a former senior minister in Singapore, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for corruption. The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to accepting over S$403,000 (around $311,000) in gifts while in office, including Formula 1 Grand Prix tickets, a high-end bicycle, alcohol, and a ride on a private jet. He was also found guilty of obstructing justice.
Justice Vincent Hoong, who presided over the case, highlighted that Iswaran’s actions were an abuse of power, damaging public trust in Singapore’s clean reputation. Iswaran had expressed confidence in his acquittal, which the judge said showed a lack of true remorse.
Iswaran is set to begin his sentence at Changi Prison on October 7. His case marks the first time in nearly 50 years that a Singaporean politician has faced trial, dealing a blow to the country’s image as a corruption-free nation. Singapore’s ministers are among the highest-paid in the world, with strict rules on accepting gifts to prevent corruption.
