Former Transport Minister seeks joint trial for two sets of corruption-related charges; defense asserts gifts from close friends were misunderstood.

Former Transport Minister S Iswaran, 61, appeared in Singapore’s High Court on May 8, 2024, requesting that the two sets of charges he faces be tried together rather than separately. Iswaran is charged with corruption, obstruction of justice, and obtaining valuable items as a public servant.

On January 18, he was accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act for accepting gifts from businessmen Ong Beng Seng and Lum Kok Seng, while on March 25, he faced additional charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from receiving valuable gifts from individuals with whom they have official dealings.

Iswaran’s lawyer, Davinder Singh, argued that his client was unaware the gifts from Ong and Lum were “veiled gratification.” Singh emphasized that Iswaran viewed the businessmen as “very, very dear and close friends” and had no suspicion that the gifts were meant as bribes.

The charges related to gifts from Ong were filed on January 18, and the charges related to gifts from Lum were filed in March. Singh sought a joint trial for the two sets of charges, questioning why the prosecution was requesting to push the trial for Ong’s charges to a later date in favor of Lum’s charges.

Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong opposed the joint trial, maintaining that the two sets of charges involved different contexts and should be tried separately.

Singh further noted that the legal provisions under Section 165 of the Penal Code were being invoked for the first time in Singapore, making the case a significant legal precedent.

The trial continues as the defense and prosecution present their arguments regarding the charges and the potential for a joint trial.