FORMER Singapore transport minister S Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail, after he had pleaded guilty on Sep 24 to five charges - four for obtaining valuable items from those with whom he had official dealings and one for obstruction of justice.
According to reports, the sentence was meted out in front of Iswaran’s family, and over 40 members of the public in the gallery.
The sentence handed down was more than the six to seven months’ jail the prosecution had sought.
Justice Vincent Hoong said he was unable to agree with the positions of both the prosecution and the defence. The defence had sought not more than eight weeks’ jail.
The judge said he was of the view that it was appropriate to impose a heavier sentence than what both parties had asked for, and that what the prosecution and the defence submitted were manifestly inadequate.
The sentencing sets a precedent for a provision that has not been used in Singapore since independence: Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits a public servant from accepting or obtaining anything of value for free or inadequate payment, from any person with whom they are involved in an official capacity.
As Justice Hoong addressed the court, Iswaran looked down and took notes.
Addressing the charges involving Ong Beng Seng, Justice Hoong said Iswaran abused his position by obtaining gifts from Ong despite knowing that the Singapore GP chairman had close connection to his official duties.
According to reports in The Straits Times, the judge noted that Iswaran’s culpability cannot be considered low given his standing as a minister.
The judge said he was not persuaded by the defence’s argument that Ong would have incurred the cost of the private jet flight regardless of whether Iswaran had accompanied him.
Iswaran’s lawyer Davinder Singh asked for his client’s sentence to commence on Oct 7 to take instructions.
In the defence’s mitigation plea, he said Iswaran recognised that his ignorance of the law was no excuse and admitted to his wrongs in accepting the gifts.
Iswaran is to surrender himself at 4pm on Oct 7 at State Courts 4A. - October 3, 2024
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