Public Prosecutor v S Iswaran

On 11 July 2024, the Singapore People's Action Party's then parliamentary representative S. Iswaran was arrested and charged by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for "obtaining valuable items as a public servant under Section 165 of the Penal Code".

S. Iswaran, main convicted criminal in the case.

Background

S. Iswaran and Ong Beng Seng

Between 2015 and 2022, Iswaran received gratification from Ong Beng Seng, a Singapore-based Malaysian businessman, in exchange for advancing Ong's business interests in a facilitation agreement between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board, and in a proposal for a contract with the tourism board to establish the ABBA Voyage virtual concert – by pop group ABBA – in Singapore.

He received:

• 40 tickets to 13 plays or musicals in the United Kingdom between 2015 and 2021 (worth around SGD $10,693)
• 16 tickets to football matches (worth around SGD $5,646)
• 36 Green Room tickets, 5 Boardwalk tickets, 14 Twenty3 tickets and 61 general admission tickets to the different editions of Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix between 2016 and 2022 (worth SGD $347,152 in total)
• taken a flight on Ong's private plane from Singapore to Doha, Qatar's capital city (worth SGD $10,410.40)
• one night's stay in Four Seasons Doha (worth SGD $4,737.63), and a business class flight from Doha to Singapore (worth SGD $5,700). Both were through Ong's company, Singapore GP.

S. Iswaran and Lum Kok Seng

Between November 2021 and November 2022, Iswaran received gratification from Lum Kok Seng, the director of Lum Chang Building Contractors and managing director of Lum Chang Holdings.

He received:

• Four bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth S$1,084.46
• Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth S$524.23, three bottles of L'Evangile 2014 wine worth S$394.20, three bottles of Pauillac De Latour 2015 wine worth S$186.31, three bottles of Albert Bichot Domaine du Clos Frantin Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2015 wine worth S$1,177.21 and three bottles of Pichon Lalande 2010 wine worth S$955.80
• A TaylorMade golf driver worth S$749
• Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky worth S$524.23
• A set of Honma Beres BE-08 Black AQ MX golf clubs worth S$4,420
• A Brompton T Line bicycle worth S$7,907.50
• Two bottles of M&H Elements Sherry Cask whisky worth S$198
• A Scotty Cameron Phantom golf putter worth S$600 and two golf chippers worth S$100 each

Arrest and investigation

Iswaran and Ong Beng Seng was arrested by CPIB on 11 July 2023, both released on bail. CPIB acceded Ong's request to travel overseas and his bail quantum was increased to SGD $100,000. According to CPIB, Ong is required to report to CPIB and surrender his passport upon his return.

Singapore prime minister and PAP's secretary general at the time, Lee Hsien Loong, said in a statement that he instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed.