SINGAPORE – Former Transport Minister and Member of Parliament S. Iswaran was charged on Thursday with 27 offences, including corruption, obtaining valuables as a public servant, and obstructing justice.
Iswaran, 62, allegedly received gratification and valuable items worth more than S$380,000 from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix. The items included tickets to the Formula 1 race, soccer matches, and shows in the UK.
Iswaran pleaded not guilty to all the charges and resigned from his positions in government and the People’s Action Party (PAP) on Wednesday. He also said he would return the salary he received as minister and allowances as a member of Parliament since the start of the probe in July.
This is one of the most high-profile graft cases involving a minister in Singapore’s history. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was “deeply saddened” by the case and that it had “tarnished” the reputation of the PAP and the government.
Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat will be promoted to full minister, taking over Iswaran’s portfolio as transport minister.
Iswaran made his political debut in the 1997 general election as part of a four-member PAP team contesting in West Coast GRC. He served as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office between 2011 and 2015, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) between 2015 and 2018, and Minister for Communications and Information between 2018 and 2021.
He was appointed as Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations in 2021, overseeing the development of the transport sector and the negotiation of free trade agreements.
Prior to entering politics, Iswaran worked at various organisations in both the public and private sectors, including Temasek Holdings and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
He was born in Chennai, India in 1962 and graduated from the University of Adelaide and Harvard University. He is married to Kay Mary Taylor and has three children.
S. Iswaran Bio: Age, Net worth, Wife, Children and Political career
| Name | S. Iswaran |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1962 |
| Place of birth | Chennai, India |
| Education | University of Adelaide (BEc), Harvard University (MPA) |
| Political party | People’s Action Party (1997-2024) |
| Constituency | West Coast GRC (1997-2024) |
| Ministerial positions | Minister for Transport (2021-2024) Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations (2018-2024) Minister for Communications and Information (2018-2021) Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) (2015-2018) Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (2011-2015) Second Minister for Home Affairs (2011-2015) Second Minister for Trade and Industry (2011-2015) |
| Net worth | $1.5 million – $5 million |
| Spouse | Kay Mary Taylor |
| Children | 3 (1 daughter and 2 sons) |
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