Singapore - October 2024

On 3 October, former Transport Minister and People’s Action Party (PAP) member S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and accepting more than SDG 403,000 (approximately USD 311,882) worth of gifts. Iswaran’s sentencing follows a year-long investigation linked to dealings involving billionaire property businessman Ong Ben Sen. This case marks the first trial of a political figure in Singapore in nearly 50 years. Justice Vincent Hoong of Singapore’s High Court underscored that Iswaran’s crimes represented an abuse of power that undermined public trust in government institutions. Legal experts note that the sentencing demonstrates the court’s intolerance of corrupt conduct.  

Sources: International IDEA, Strait Times, BBC News, The New York Times