Singapore transport minister S Iswaran resigns; faces charges of corruption
NBCJAN 12 2024
Iswaran is accused of unlawfully accepting benefits exceeding $123,570, including flights, hotel accommodations, and event tickets, from billionaire tycoon Ong Beng Seng.Former Singapore Transport Minister S Iswaran was Thursday sentenced to 12 months’ jail, more than what the prosecution had sought, in a rare corruption case.
The case marks the first time a sitting minister in Singapore has been charged with a criminal offense, challenging the country's reputation for clean governance.Iswaran was accused of accepting illegal benefits of over $123K from a billionaire. Last month, he pled guilty after initially denying the charges.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong accepted Iswaran's resignation and stated that the government will deal with the case rigorously in accordance with the law.Convicted of bribery and obstruction of justice, he is Singapore's first ex-minister to face prison time since 1975, tarring the country's graft-free image.
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The corruption charges against a high-ranking minister reveal cracks in Singapore's supposedly clean political system. This scandal, along with other recent controversies, has tarnished the ruling party's image and raised questions about the effectiveness of high salaries in preventing corruption. The case highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight in government dealings.