Singapore – In a significant development in Singapore’s legal landscape, former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, of Indian origin, is no longer facing corruption charges, according to a ruling by the High Court during his trial on Tuesday. While the court has dismissed the corruption allegations, Iswaran will still contend with five other counts related to misconduct, including the offense of carrying precious particulars while serving as a public servant.
The charges include four counts of carrying precious particulars under Section 165 of the Penal Code, and one count of obstructing the course of justice under Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code. Reports from The Straits Times indicate that all other charges amounting to 30 in total will be taken into consideration during the proceedings. Iswaran’s legal counsel, Davinder Singh, expressed that the decision to drop the Prevention of Corruption Act charges allows his client to pursue a different legal strategy.
“My client (Iswaran) will be taking a certain course of action in view of the fact that the execution is no longer pacing with charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act,” Singh stated, suggesting that Iswaran may plead guilty to the remaining charges. Iswaran, 61, was initially charged on January 18 and was granted bail set at SGD 800,000.
The case continues to attract public interest, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of public officials and the legal processes surrounding corruption in Singapore. As the trial progresses, the implications of this ruling could reverberate throughout the political landscape of the city-state.