Former Singapore Minister Iswaran Sentenced to Jail

Former Singapore Transport Minister S Iswaran has begun serving a 12-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to five charges, including accepting valuable gifts valued at over S$400,000 from businessmen and obstructing justice. Iswaran announced on Facebook that he would not be appealing the sentence, expressing his acceptance of the charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting gifts from those involved in business dealings with the government. He emphasized the emotional toll of the trial on his family and the desire to bring closure to the situation. The prosecution initially sought a shorter sentence, but the court imposed a longer term, considering the seriousness of the offenses. Iswaran's case is notable as it marks the first instance of a cabinet minister in Singapore being sentenced since the nation's independence in 1965. He expressed remorse and a hope to move forward with his family after this difficult chapter.