On Thursday, Singapore’s Transport Minister S. Iswaran was indicted on corruption charges. This is a rare corruption case involving a high-profile minister in the Asian country. In light of the charges, the Indian-origin leader also tendered his resignation from the ruling People’s Action Party.
In his resignation letter, dated January 16 and released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, Iswaran denied all allegations against him and said he was “focused on clearing his name.” If convicted of corruption, he could be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to seven years in prison, according to Reuters.
According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Mr Iswaran is suspected of receiving kickbacks worth S$384,340.98 ($286,181) from real estate tycoon Ong Ben Seng, some of which was paid by Mr Ong. The purpose was to promote business interests.
But who is S. Iswaran, whose political career spans 26 years and who is now implicated in this high-profile corruption case? That’s all you need to know.
The 61-year-old Indian-born leader was first elected to parliament in 1997 and has served in parliament ever since. In 2006, he joined Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Lee’s cabinet as a deputy minister.
Mr. Iswaran held the trade and communications portfolio from 2006 until he became transport minister in May 2021.
During his resignation, he served as Minister of Transport, with responsibility spanning land, air and sea transport. According to PMO Singapore, his key focus areas include rebuilding Singapore’s air hub and safely resuming air travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening Singapore’s maritime hub to ensure it is reliable and sustainable. This includes building a comprehensive land transportation system.
He also served as the Minister for Trade Relations in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and also held cabinet positions in the Ministry of Communications and Information, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Education.
Before embarking on his political journey, Iswaran studied economics at the University of Adelaide, graduating with first class honors. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.
He also briefly joined the private sector, first as Director of Strategic Development at Singapore Technologies Pte Ltd and later as Managing Director at Temasek Holdings, where he was responsible for investments, acquisitions, takeovers and merger transactions.
The former minister is married and has a daughter and two sons.
The CPIB announced that Iswaran is currently facing 27 charges, including corruption and obstruction of justice.
— With inputs from Reuters, PTI