Events took an unexpected turn after the prosecution agreed to amend two corruption charges to less serious charges of obtaining valuable items as a public servant. Iswaran, 62, admitted to obtaining valuable items worth more than $400,000 in total from Formula One (F1) race promoter Singapore GP's chairman Ong Beng Seng and Mr David Lum Kok Seng, managing director of mainboard-listed construction company Lum Chang Holdings.
He has paid back more than $380,000 to the state and will forfeit the items he received.
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong, pressed for six to seven months' jail for Iswaran.
Mr Tai argued that as Iswaran was a minister for 12 years, his acts have had significant impact on the reputation of the Singapore Government, which is well known for its commitment to integrity.
He said that if public servants could accept substantial gifts in such a situation, public confidence in the integrity of government would be undermined.
" Not punishing such acts would send a signal that such acts are tolerated," he said.
But Iswaran's lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, argued that the former minister should serve no more than eight weeks in jail.
Mr Singh said there was nothing to suggest that his client's loyalty and duties to the Government were compromised.
In response, Mr Tai contended that it was important for the court to set the "correct marker" on the punishment to be meted out.
Justice Vincent Hoong said he would take time to further consider the arguments, and that he would give his decision on the sentence on Oct 3.
Iswaran had pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining valuable items as a public servant, an offence under Section 165 of the Penal Code. Another 30 charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing.
He is the first person to be convicted of the offence since Singapore's independence.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin September 25, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin September 25, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Japan's True Blue Tradition
Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
6 easy dishes to pack for lunch
Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".
