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 SGD $1,084.46)
• Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky (worth SGD $524.23), three bottles of L'Evangile 2014 wine (worth SGD $394.20), three bottles of Pauillac De Latour 2015 wine (worth SGD $186.31), three bottles of Albert Bichot Domaine du Clos Frantin Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2015 wine (worth SGD $1,177.21) and three bottles of Pichon Lalande 2010 wine (worth S$955.80)
• A TaylorMade golf driver (worth SGD $749)
• Two bottles of Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila whisky (worth SGD $524.23)
• A set of Honma Beres BE-08 Black AQ MX golf clubs (worth SGD $4,420)
• A Brompton T Line bicycle (worth SGD $7,907.50)
• Two bottles of M&H Elements Sherry Cask whisky (worth SGD $198)
• A Scotty Cameron Phantom golf putter (worth SGD $600) and two golf chippers (worth SGD $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. On 26 March 2024, Lum Kok Seng was reportedly attended several interviews with the CPIB in relation to its investigation into Iswaran. Lum's name is not listed in the judiciary hearing list according to CPIB response to media queries by Channel News Asia (CNA) on the same month.

Lawsuit

January 2024

On 18 January 2024, Iswaran was charged in court with 27 offences. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was represented by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh in the case.

On the same day, he resigned from parliament and the People's Action Party (PAP).

Iswaran made a statement claimed that he is "innocent" and he submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong “even without being asked to do so”, and stated that “Further, I informed the Prime Minister on (Wednesday) that, even though I am innocent, I will be returning all monies that I received by way of salary as Minister and allowances as Member of Parliament from the commencement of CPIB’s investigations in July 2023.”.

February 2024

Iswaran was later granted approval to leave Singapore for Australia between 16 February 2024 and 4 March 2024 to help his son settle into university, with additional bail conditions - including an extra bail sum of SGD $500,000 (US$372,000) in cash on top of his existing bail of SGD $800,000.

His case was also transferred to the High Court.

March 2024

On 4 March 2024, Iswaran was given permission to remain outside of Singapore for an additional 16 days, until 19 March 2024, after he reported that he fell ill while in Australia.

"At an urgent mention at the State Courts today, the defence filed an application to extend Mr Iswaran's permission to leave jurisdiction by 16 days, until Mar 19, 2024, as he had fallen ill while in Australia," an Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) spokesperson said in response to media queries.

The prosecution did not object to the application and the statement did not include details of Iswaran's illness.

Iswaran was later reportedly discharged from a hospital and his doctor advised him not to travel for 12 days, according to AGC's statement made on 6 March 2024.

Under the terms of the extension, Iswaran will have to report to an investigation officer daily via video call to provide updates on his medical condition and whether there will be any issues regarding his return to Singapore on 19 March 2024.