S Iswaran accused of receiving items price $14,000 from particular person who had enterprise dealings with Transport Ministry.
Singapore’s former Transport Minister S Iswaran has been slapped with eight new fees in a uncommon corruption case involving the city-state’s ruling Folks’s Motion Occasion (PAP).
The fees relate to allegations that Iswaran obtained precious items price about 18,956 Singapore {dollars} ($14,077) from a person who had enterprise dealings with the Transport Ministry, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) stated in a press release on Monday.
“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,” the CPIB stated.
“Any person who is convicted under section 165 of the Penal Code can be fined or sentenced to imprisonment of up to two years or both.”
The alleged items obtained by Iswaran embrace whisky, golf golf equipment and a Brompton bicycle, native media reported.
The fees come after Iswaran was in January charged with 27 corruption offences, most of them associated to his alleged receipt of items from Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng.
Ong, who performed a key function in bringing the Singapore Grand Prix to the city-state in 2008 whereas Iswaran was in authorities, is alleged to have given the previous minister tickets to West Finish reveals and soccer matches in alternate for advancing his enterprise pursuits.
Iswaran, who stepped down as an MP and resigned from the PAP, denied the costs on the time and promised to clear his identify.
Corruption scandals are uncommon in Singapore, which is understood for its strict legal guidelines and difficult enforcement.
Singapore was ranked the fifth-least corrupt nation within the 2023 Transparency Worldwide Corruption Perceptions Index, following Norway, New Zealand, Finland and Denmark.
The case involving Iswaran is the primary corruption probe regarding a minister since 1986, when then Minister for Nationwide Improvement Teh Cheang Wan was accused of accepting bribes from companies.
Teh died earlier than fees have been introduced towards him.