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Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, who faces multiple charges including corruption, has been granted approval to leave Singapore for Australia for about two weeks, with additional bail conditions.
The 61-year-old returned to court on Thursday for the judge’s decision on his travel application, three weeks after he was handed 27 charges relating to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng.
Iswaran was given permission to leave for Australia between February 16 and March 4 to help his son settle into university.
The prosecution had no objections as long as Iswaran adhered to additional bail conditions – including an extra bail sum of S$500,000 (US$372,000) in cash on top of his existing bail of S$800,000.
Ong Beng Seng’s ‘buddy-buddy’ ties with Singapore minister in spotlight amid probe
Defence lawyer Senior Counsel Davinder Singh and Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng – were absent in court on Thursday.
Their subordinates attended the hearing instead – with Navin Thevar making the application on Iswaran’s behalf, and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jiang Ke-Yue responding for the prosecution.
Thevar said the defence filed the application for Iswaran to leave the country, mainly because “he needs to settle his son into university”.
He added that the defence accepts the conditions set out by the prosecution.

Apart from the additional cash bail, Iswaran is required to provide his travel itinerary and overseas address to the investigating officer, as well as remain contactable by the IO at all times.
The bailor, a man with the surname Ng, said he agreed to those conditions. When approached by CNA to explain his relation to Iswaran, Ng did not respond.
District Judge Brenda Tan approved the travel application and imposed the bail conditions asked for by the prosecution.
Iswaran’s case will also be transferred to the High Court, with the prosecution citing “strong public interest considerations”.
Both sides agreed on the matter.
Singapore ranks as 5th least corrupt country in 2023 index led by Denmark
The defence added that Iswaran wanted an early trial “so the evidence can be fully aired, and the matter decided as soon as possible”.
“So now that the prosecution has indicated they will be taking the case to High Court, we are happy with that decision. We absolutely agree that this is a matter that should be heard in the High Court,” Thevar said.
He then asked if the prosecution would agree for an “early trial” to be held in the High Court, saying the defence cannot see why this should not or cannot happen since investigations have taken “a long time”.
Jiang responded that this is “in consideration” and that the judge’s diary in the High Court “ought to be taken into account”.
“These are matters we need not trouble your honour on, and we can address this before the High Court registry when a case conference is called,” he said.
Iswaran was charged on January 18, months after a probe into him was made public.
He pleaded not guilty to all 27 charges, saying after his charging that he would focus on clearing his name.
The charges were read again to him on Thursday, as required when a case is transferred to the High Court.
Singapore’s S. Iswaran probe triggers review of F1 deal, audit of 2022 race
Among the charges, two were of corruptly obtaining bribes from Ong, 24 of obtaining valuables as a public servant and one of obstructing justice.
Ong, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix, has not been charged.
The former minister is accused of corruptly receiving more than S$166,000 (US$123,300) worth of flights, hotel stays and tickets to events in exchange for advancing the billionaire’s business interests.
He is separately accused of obtaining about S$218,000 worth of valuable items in his capacity as a minister who also dealt with Ong and his company. Iswaran was chairman of the F1 Steering Committee.

Iswaran resigned from his positions in government two days before being formally charged in court. He had previously been placed on a leave of absence pending an investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
A criminal case disclosure conference for the case will be held in the High Court on March 22.
This refers to a formal system where both sides disclose information about the case – including outlining their cases and the evidence they will be relying on – to facilitate the trial process.
If convicted of obtaining a valuable thing as a public servant, Iswaran can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
If convicted of corruptly obtaining gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.
If convicted of obstructing justice, he can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.
This story was first published by CNA


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Singapore

Singapore court rules S. Iswaran, who faces corruption charges, can leave for Australia, but with extra bail conditions

Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge for Trade Relations S. Iswaran is charged with 27 offences in a corruption probe that has also ensnared a billionaire hotel tycoon. Photo: AFP

Singapore’s former Transport Minister S. Iswaran (centre) faces 27 charges, comprising 24 counts of receiving gratification as a public servant, two counts of corruption, and one count of obstructing justice. Photo: EPA-EFE

S. Iswaran is part of the largest political scandal to hit the city state in close to four decades. Photo: Bloomberg

Singapore’s S. Iswaran resigns as transport minister after being charged with taking bribes, including football and F1 tickets, worth some US$298,000

Former minister S. Iswaran leaves the Singapore State Courts on January 18. Photo: Bloomberg

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the case would ‘no doubt’ have an impact on the long-ruling People’s Action Party. Photo: Reuters

S. Iswaran, left, leaves the State Court in Singapore on January 18. He has “rejected the charges” against him. Photo: AFP 

From left: S. Iswaran with Formula One Group chief executive Stefano Domenicali and tycoon Ong Beng Seng during the 2022 Singapore Formula One grand prix. Photo: Facebook

S. Iswaran and his lawyer Davinder Singh (left) arrive at the State Courts in Singapore on Thursday. Photo: The Straits Times via Reuters

Singapore’s corruption case against ex-minister S. Iswaran draws ‘chump change’ jokes, praises for tough stance

Former Singapore minister S. Iswaran was slapped with 27 charges on Thursday. Photo: Bloomberg

Tycoon Ong Beng Seng and former Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran pictured in 2007. Iswaran is accused of accepting gifts from the businessman. Photo: EPA-EFE

A meme involving former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak mocking Iswaran’s corruption case. Photo: Handout

Drivers race during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore on September 19, 2016. Former transport minister S. Iswaran was widely credited with bringing the event to the city state. Photo: AFP

Singapore to review F1 deal, audit 2022 race after S. Iswaran corruption probe

Singapore will review the terms of its F1 Grand Prix deal and audit a previous race following a corruption probe involving its former transport minister. Photo: Xinhua

Ong Beng Seng (left) and S. Iswaran attend the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of work on the pit building for the FSingapore Grand Prix on August 31, 2007. Photo: AFP1 

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Australasia

Former transport minister S. Iswaran, who faces multiple charges including corruption, was granted approval to visit Australia to help his son settle into university
The prosecution had no objections as long as Iswaran adheres to additional bail conditions – including an extra bail sum of US$372,000 in cash


Former Transport Minister S Iswaran, who faces multiple charges including corruption, was granted approval to visit Australia for over two weeks, with conditions such as additional bail.


Australia

Singapore Grand Prix

Corruption in Asia