Singapore’s ex-transport minister, S. Iswaran, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to five charges related to bribery and obstruction of justice after more serious allegations were dropped.
Iswaran, 62, is the first political office holder in over four decades to face a graft trial in Singapore, a country known for its low levels of corruption.
Initially facing 35 charges, mostly related to corruption, Iswaran was accused of accepting gifts, including bottles of whiskey and golf clubs, from two businessmen, one of whom is billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. The charges include obstructing justice by attempting to block an investigation into a business class flight paid for by Ong.
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Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of six to seven months for Iswaran, with sentencing expected soon. The trial has drawn significant attention, especially with Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) set to face general elections by November next year.
Iswaran resigned in January following the charges, pledging to repay the money earned during his time as a minister. The trial highlights Singapore’s commitment to its stringent anti-corruption policies.