FORMER transport minister S Iswaran was on Thursday (Jan 18) slapped with 27 charges of corruption and obtaining gratification from hotel and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng.

In a statement issued Thursday morning, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said this includes one charge of corruptly obtaining gratifications valued at S$145,434 as inducement for advancing Ong’s business interests in matters relating to a contract between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Another charge alleges that the former minister corruptly obtained gratification valued at S$20,848.03 from Ong, as inducement for advancing Ong’s business interests in matters relating to another contract also between Singapore Grand Prix and STB, along with a proposal for a contract with STB.

Any person convicted of a corruption offence under Singapore’s Prevention of Corruption Act may be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to seven years, or both.

Iswaran further faces 24 charges of obtaining “valuable things” as a public servant – worth about S$218,058.95 in total but for no consideration – from Ong from November 2015 to December 2021. This is punishable under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which entails a fine or imprisonment sentence of up to two years, or both.

Lastly, Iswaran faces one charge for obstructing the course of justice on or about May 25, 2023, under Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code, which mandates a fine or imprisonment sentence of up to seven years, or both.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,” said CPIB.

Iswaran on Thursday resigned as a Cabinet minister and a member of the People’s Action Party. He is also resigning as a Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC.

The former minister is presently out on an S$800,000 bail and plans to defend himself against the charges.

Ong, popularly known by his initials OBS, is the managing director and co-founder of Hotel Properties Limited.

He was arrested for his involvement in a graft probe involving Iswaran in July 2022, three days after the former transport minister’s arrest on Jul 11, 2023. Iswaran was later revealed to have been assisting CPIB with an investigation.

The anti-graft agency on Jan 9 this year announced it had completed its “robust and thorough” investigation involving Iswaran, with the matter under review by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.