{"loaderData":{"0-25":{"context":{"type":0,"statusCode":200,"cacheControlMaxAge":60,"regenerateInterval":180,"payload":{"pageType":"live-blog-landing-page","results":[{"title":"","url":"","description":"","type":"live-coverage","refCode":"live:-iswaran-sentenced-to-12-months'-jail","cards":[],"liveBlogData":{"htmlData":"

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Recap: How Iswaran’s sentencing unfolded in court

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His one-year jail sentence is set to begin on Oct 7 subject to any applications made by the defence.

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Chin Hui Shan, Carmen Sin, Lee Li Ying, Osmond Chia

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Published: Oct 3, 2024

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Follow ST's live coverage.\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2024-10-03T07:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2024-10-03T17:25:00+08:00\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/assets\\/ST-logo-default-aoeSLh4S.png\",\"width\":\"1228\",\"height\":\"96\"}},\"liveBlogUpdate\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Why one year? \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T13:30:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T17:31:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran acted with deliberation in obtaining gifts, Justice Hoong said during sentencing on Oct 3.His culpability cannot be considered low because he occupied the highest level of executive office, added the judge.These were among the reasons for the one-year jail sentence given, almost double the six to seven months that the prosecution had argued for.For obtaining valuable things as a public servant, an offender can be given a jail term of up to two years, fined, or both.Those convicted of obstructing the course of justice can be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.READ MORE: Why was Iswaran handed a one-year jail sentence?ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Big fish will not be let off the hook\\u2019, says IPS researcher \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T15:45:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T16:14:24+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh says the sentence indicates that where deterrence fails, enforcement will be robust in upholding Singapore\\u2019s zero-tolerance approach to corruption.\\u201cEven big fish will not be let off the hook,\\u201d she says.Iswaran\\u2019s case is an important signal that there will be no compromise to good governance.This ethic of integrity has to be reinforced from generation to generation among citizens, business folk, and those in government and across all political parties in Singapore, Dr Koh says.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Quick take: What\\u2019s next? \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T15:15:56+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T16:07:21+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Criminal lawyer Choo Si Sen says that if Iswaran wants to appeal against his sentence, his lawyers must do so within 14 days.If Iswaran lodges an appeal, his lawyers will likely apply for bail pending the appeal.Even though he has been asked to surrender himself at the State Courts on Oct 7, he would not have to turn up if this bail is granted, Mr Choo says.The veteran lawyer adds that the court may impose different conditions on this bail.\\u201cIn most cases, the court will increase the bail amount by up to 50 per cent since the offender has been convicted and sentenced,\\u201d he says.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"cpohkwan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Quick take: Iswaran\\u2019s sentence is not unexpected, says law professor \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T14:58:00+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T16:05:54+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Assistant Professor Benny Tan, who teaches law at the National University of Singapore, says Justice Hoong\\u2019s written judgment shows that the judge largely agreed with the prosecution\\u2019s arguments.Where the judge deviates from the prosecution is that he had given more weight to some of the aggravating factors in the case, such as the fact that Iswaran was a full minister, and the harm that resulted to the trust in and integrity of public institutions following Iswaran\\u2019s actions, he says.Prof Tan also says he would not describe the sentence as unexpected.\\u201cIt is established law in Singapore that a sentencing judge is not bound by the prosecution or defence\\u2019s submitted sentence,\\u201d he adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Thank you for following ST\\u2019s live coverage\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T16:00:05+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T16:00:05+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"For a quick recap of what transpired in court today, read more: Iswaran sentenced to 12 months\\u2019 jail; judge says former minister abused position to accept giftsStay tuned to ST for more updates and analysis on the Iswaran case. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"cpohkwan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"A breakdown of Iswaran\\u2019s one-year jail sentence\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T12:34:53+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T14:45:50+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran is given a jail term of one year, but what are the sentences for his five individual charges?For obtaining 10 Green Room tickets to the 2017 Singapore F1 Grand Prix: Six months\\u2019 jail.For the flight to Doha on Mr Ong\\u2019s private plane, one night\\u2019s stay in Four Seasons Hotel Doha and a business class return flight to Singapore: Three months and three weeks\\u2019 jail.For obstructing justice by paying $5,700 to Singapore GP to cover the cost of his business class flight ticket: Four months\\u2019 jail.For obtaining 14 bottles of whiskey and wine from Mr Lum: Two months\\u2019 jail.For obtaining a Brompton T Line bicycle from Mr Lum: Three months\\u2019 jail.The sentences for the acceptance of the Green Room tickets, the 14 bottles of liquor and obstructing justice will run consecutively, amounting to 12 months.The remaining sentences will run concurrently.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Quick take: Rules of conduct for public officers could be refreshed, says former CPIB director\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T14:16:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T14:36:35+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Acknowledging that people in the public service and business community may feel a little anxious in the wake of the Iswaran sentencing, former CPIB director and SUSS Associate Professor Soh Kee Hean says the rules of conduct, including guidelines for public officers, could be refreshed so that both sides know where the boundaries lie.This is particularly important as the public service and business community have to work closely in today\\u2019s economy.\\u201cOtherwise, it keeps everybody at arm\\u2019s length, but you also need human relationships between government and the business community, which are important drivers of economic development. We don\\u2019t want some of the good practices that we have to be rolled back as a result,\\u201d Prof Soh says. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Quick take: Sentence sets benchmark for future cases, says former CPIB director \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T12:15:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T14:16:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Former CPIB director and Associate Professor Soh Kee Hean, who teaches criminal investigation, public safety and security at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), says the 12-month sentence for Iswaran sets a benchmark for future cases under Section 165 of the Penal Code.The reasons set out by Justice Hoong show that there is a higher bar for people in high leadership positions, says Prof Soh, who was a CPIB director from 2005 to 2010.People in high leadership positions \\u201cmust really set the tone from the top and walk the talk\\u201d, Prof Soh says.\\u201cIf the people at the top don\\u2019t conduct themselves properly, they don\\u2019t really have moral authority over their staff and over other people.\\u201dPeople working under them will take it that \\u201cthat\\u2019s the way they can also behave and follow suit if the leader behaves this way\\u201d.\\u201cIn time, misconduct (in the public service) will proliferate,\\u201d he says.Not only that, the higher the position of the public servant, the greater impact his actions would have on trust and confidence in the Government, he adds.The sentence has to reflect these considerations, he stresses.Prof Soh adds that it cannot be said that the prosecution put up a sentencing recommendation that is overly lenient because there are no other precedents for it to look at.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Quick take: Court puts \\u2018premium on integrity\\u2019 in public sector\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T11:33:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T12:32:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The sentence should not be seen as unexpected, as the court is not bound by the parties\\u2019 submissions on sentencing, even if both sides are aligned, Singapore Management University associate professor of law Eugene Tan says.The sentence shows that \\u201cthere is no doubt that the court placed a premium on maintaining the integrity of the public sector\\u201d, Prof Tan says.He notes two main factors contributing to the penalty being above the six to seven months argued by the prosecution and much more than the eight weeks put forth by Iswaran\\u2019s legal team.The first factor is the high office that Iswaran occupied as a former Cabinet minister, and the second is the fact that the judge was not persuaded by any of the mitigating factors put forth by Iswaran.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Paid for his flight to avoid investigation\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:32:47+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T12:17:10+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"When Iswaran became aware that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating the associates of Mr Ong, founder of Hotel Properties Limited, it was Iswaran who requested that Mr Ong bill him for his flight to Doha, Justice Hoong says. He acted with deliberation and premeditation. By asking to be billed and paying for the ticket, he was attempting to avoid investigations into the gifts, the judge adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran emerges from court after being sentenced\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T11:35:20+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T11:57:29+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran steps out of the Supreme Court at 11.34am after receiving a one-year jail sentence.\\u201cI have no comments at this point, thank you,\\u201d he says as throngs of reporters and photographers follow him. One person from the media falls as people jostle for position around the former minister.Iswaran leaves in a white car.ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Davinder Singh leaves court \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T11:26:45+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T11:49:29+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s lawyer, Mr Singh, has exited the Supreme Court. He walks past the media scrum without stopping to answer any questions.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Media scrum awaits\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T11:05:42+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T11:33:05+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"More than 50 people, many from the media, are waiting outside the Supreme Court building for Iswaran to come through the doors.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"ST\\u2019s quick take on the sentence\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T11:16:37+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T11:31:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Hoong sentenced Iswaran to 12 months\\u2019 jail. This was more than what the prosecution had asked for. The judge said Iswaran was not remorseful, noting that the 62-year-old had made a public statement denying the charges.In sentencing the former transport minister, the judge said that \\u201csignificant harm\\u201d had been caused to trust in the public office.He said the mere perception that the receiver was under the influence of the giver, who is cultivating goodwill, was already harmful.Justice Hoong said Iswaran\\u2019s service to Singapore was a neutral factor and that his payment for the items obtained was unlikely to adequately remedy the harm caused.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Not selling Green Room tickets does not constitute mitigating factor\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:25:46+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T11:03:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"While Iswaran did not sell his Green Room tickets and instead distributed them to family and friends believing this would make it an inclusive event, it ignores the fact that the tickets would have otherwise been distributed for free by the Singapore Grand Prix, Justice Hoong says.\\u201cThe fact that the accused had access to the Green Room tickets was of itself injurious to the integrity of the accused\\u2019s office,\\u201d he says.The fact that he did not sell the tickets is only an absence of an aggravating factor, but it does not constitute a mitigating factor, the judge adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Up to 10% reduction for sentencing \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:32:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T11:02:34+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"\\u201cI am unable to accept the defence\\u2019s submissions,\\u201d says the judge. \\u201cThe accused is only eligible for a sentencing discount of up to 10 per cent.\\u201d The prosecution has sought six to seven months\\u2019 jail, while the defence has argued for no more than eight weeks. \\u201cIn my view, the accused, having made tactical choices during the proceedings, must stand by the consequences of those choices,\\u201d Justice Hoong says.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"osmondc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s sentence set to begin on Oct 7 \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:46:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:53:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"In handing down the one-year sentence, Justice Hoong says he is unable to agree with the prosecution\\u2019s and defence\\u2019s submissions for sentencing, and has decided to impose a sentence in excess of what both parties asked for. Mr Singh has asked for Iswaran\\u2019s one-year sentence to commence on Oct 7 to review the judge\\u2019s grounds for sentencing and to take instructions.The judge has asked for Iswaran to surrender himself at 4pm on Oct 7 at State Courts 4A.Court is adjourned.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"12 months\\u2019 jail for Iswaran\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:39:10+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:51:18+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran has been handed a one-year jail sentence.The sentence is more than the six to seven months asked for by the prosecution, which Justice Hoong considers \\u201cmanifestly inadequate\\u201d.ST ILLUSTRATION: MIEL\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"On the defence\\u2019s mitigating factors \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:35:45+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:50:59+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Judge Vincent Hoong turns to the mitigating factors highlighted by the defence, including Iswaran\\u2019s public service to Singapore, his voluntary disgorgement of the benefits and his early plea of guilt.Given that the rest of the 30 charges that were taken into consideration bear similarities with the proceeded charges where he received gifts, the judge says that these charges reveal a scale and repetition of offending over a significant period of time. This is a culpability-increasing factor, Judge Hoong says.Iswaran\\u2019s public service and contributions to Singapore are, at most, a neutral factor, the judge adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Justice Hoong dismisses idea that Iswaran was remorseful \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:34:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:50:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Hoong says he has difficulty in believing that Iswaran was remorseful, as the latter has made public statements rejecting the charges as false.He says that he is unable to accept the defence\\u2019s submissions, adding that the accused is only eligible for a sentencing discount of up to 10 per cent.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Judge not persuaded \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:24:36+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:38:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Hoong says he is not persuaded by the defence\\u2019s argument that Mr Ong (pictured below) would have incurred the cost of the private jet flight regardless of whether Iswaran accompanied him. Iswaran acted with deliberation in requesting valuable items and taking urgent personal leave for the trip to Doha, allowing himself to enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip with only four days prior notice, the judge says. Iswaran abused his position by obtaining gifts from Mr Ong, despite knowing their close connection to his official duties, he adds. \\u201cI am unable to accept that the absence of financial detriment to the giver is a mitigating factor. Because it does not reduce the offender\\u2019s culpability or the resultant damage to public confidence in public institutions.\\u201dST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"osmondc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"LTA contracts: Iswaran\\u2019s culpability heightened by role as transport minister \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:24:07+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:35:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"As for the charges relating to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) contracts, his culpability was heightened by his role then as minister for transport. He was responsible for LTA, which is in charge of the MRT system.\\u201cEven if there is no evidence he exercised influence over F1 or contracts, his culpability cannot be considered low given his standing as a minister,\\u201d says the judge, adding that when the offences were committed, he had been a minister for six to 10 years.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s culpability cannot be low as minister, F1 committee chairman\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:22:31+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:27:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Judge Vincent Hoong says he also considered the fact that Iswaran was a minister and chairman of the F1 steering committee at the time.He occupied the highest level of executive office and he wielded influence in matters of great public interest.The judge also pointed to how, as chairman of the F1 steering committee, Iswaran oversaw F1 proceedings and was the Government\\u2019s chief negotiator for the Singapore Grand Prix.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"General deterrence takes centre stage: Judge \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:14:53+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:25:31+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Hoong disagrees with the defence\\u2019s position, saying that general deterrence \\u2013 making an example of those who have committed an offence \\u2013 should take centre stage in his sentencing decision.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"osmondc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Value of benefits obtained relevant to sentencing: Justice Hoong\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:17:47+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:25:24+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The value of the benefits obtained is relevant to the sentencing, says Justice Hoong.\\u201cThe greater the value, the greater the tendency of injury to public institutions,\\u201d he says. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The higher the office, the higher the level of culpability: Judge \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:15:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:23:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Turning to the culpability factors, Justice Hoong says that the higher the office held by the offender as a public servant, the higher his level of culpability.This is because the public servant wields significant influence and has a larger resultant impact on public interest.\\u201cFurther, such persons set the tone of public servants in conducting themselves with high standards of integrity, and must avoid any perception that they are susceptible to influence to pecuniary benefits,\\u201d says the judge.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Two important issues to be considered: Justice Hoong \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:08:55+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:22:27+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"In his sentencing remarks, the judge says that there are two key issues to be examined.The first is what the appropriate sentencing approach should be when a public servant obtains a valuable thing from a person concerned in business transactions.The second is what is the appropriate reduction in sentence, when applying sentencing guidelines to guilty pleas after an accused pleads guilty to multiple charges.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"liyinglee\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran arrives at Supreme Court \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T09:22:58+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:16:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The former Cabinet minister arrives at the Supreme Court building at about 9.20am for his sentencing.He walks past the media scrum without saying anything.His defence lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, has also arrived. Meanwhile, his family waits to enter the courtroom on level four.Proceedings are expected to start at 10am. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"ST\\u2019s quick take: A landmark case unfolds \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T09:42:57+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:14:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran is the first reported person to be prosecuted under Section 165 in post-independence Singapore.His case is likely to refine the distinction between receiving and obtaining gifts, and what bearing that might have on sentencing.Deputy A-G Tai has said the facts show that Iswaran is \\u201cmore than a passive acceptor\\u201d of the gifts in question.But Mr Singh has argued that the items are given in the context of Iswaran\\u2019s friendship with businessmen Ong Beng Seng and David Lum Kok Seng.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Willaine Gatusino Tan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Essence of offence is the damage in public trust: Justice Hoong \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:12:19+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:13:41+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Hoong says the essence of the offence is the damage to people\\u2019s trust in public institutions.\\u201cPersons who hold public office are conferred status and power by virtue of such office and obtaining of gifts from persons who have connection to public duties is an abuse of power,\\u201d he says. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Trust and confidence\\u2019 easily undermined: Judge In a summary of his judgment, Justice Hoong says that trust and confidence in public institutions are the bedrock of effective governance, which can be easily undermined by a public servant who falls below standards of integrity and accountability.\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:06:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:10:04+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"osmondc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Recap: Contention over length of jail term\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:19:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:05:59+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"After Iswaran pleaded guilty, the prosecution sought a jail term of six to seven months, with no more than a 10 per cent reduction for his guilty plea.The sentence will give the public and the world \\u201ca signal that Singapore is committed to a completely honest and clean government\\u201d, said Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong.Iswaran\\u2019s defence team asked for a maximum jail term of eight weeks.Mr Singh said Iswaran\\u2019s \\u201cculpability is low\\u201d, as no third party had suffered any losses as a result of the offences under Section 165. Also, the gifts were given to Iswaran in the context of friendship.READ MORE: Iswaran convicted of 5 charges: Key moments from inside the courtroomST ILLUSTRATION: MIEL \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Proceedings kick off\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T10:00:43+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:01:16+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Vincent Hoong enters the courtroom at 10am on the dot.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Inside the courtroom \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T09:52:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T10:01:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"More than 40 people are seated in the courtroom\\u2019s public gallery at 9.45am.Deputy A-G Tai and Mr Singh are seen talking to each other while Iswaran\\u2019s lawyers speak to him.As at 9.50am, Iswaran is seated in the dock.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"More young people join the crowd \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:29:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T09:48:59+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Two 17-year-old polytechnic students, Gideon Soo and Issac Soh, are dressed in suits and ties to attend the sentencing.Gideon arrived at the court at around 5am but was unsure of how to obtain a ticket.They had wanted to attend the second day of the hearing last week. It was slated to be a four-day trial from Sept 24 to 27, but Iswaran pleaded guilty on Sept 24.\\u201cIt is interesting to live through such an event,\\u201d they say. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s family to enter courtroom \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:43:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T09:36:21+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s family members, including his wife Kay Mary Taylor, are seen at the Parliament carpark at about 8.30am.They were earlier spotted queueing for tickets to the public gallery at around 6.10am. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What do judges consider in sentencing?\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T09:15:17+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T09:24:38+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Other than similar cases in the past, judges are guided by four key principles:\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Previous Section 165 convictions in Malaysia\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:47:18+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T09:22:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"In the Malaysia case, former Selangor chief minister Mohamad Khir Toyo (in picture below) was sentenced to a year in jail in 2011 for buying nearly 4,500 sq m of land from a seller he had business dealings with.He bought the property, containing a bungalow, for millions of ringgit below market value. \\u201cBali style\\u201d renovations began before the sale was finalised, and the bungalow was demolished.The court accepted that the seller had been forced into the sale for fear of jeopardising his business. On appeal in 2015, the apex court upheld the sentence, saying Khir Toyo had taken advantage of his office \\u2013 an offence that was \\u201cdestructive of the public confidence in the government\\u201d and thus warranted imprisonment.More recently, in 2020, Umno treasurer-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was found guilty under Section 165 for accepting RM2 million from a businessman in 2016 when he was the federal territories minister. He was sentenced to a year in jail and fined RM2 million (S$616,000). Other public servants in Malaysia have also been charged under Section 165.READ MORE: Malaysian High Court convicts Umno treasurer Tengku Adnan of graftPHOTO: CHINA PRESS \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran departs from home\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:45:13+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:56:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At around 8.35am, Iswaran is spotted leaving his home. He is chauffeured in a white Toyota car.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Section 165: Legal precedent outside of Singapore\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:40:50+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:40:50+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran is the first person to be convicted under Section 165 in post-independence Singapore.On Sept 24, after the prosecution and defence debated the jail term, Justice Vincent Hoong directed both sides to make further written submissions on a 2015 Section 165 case in Malaysia, before the sentencing on Oct 3. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran to set off from home\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:22:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:22:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"A white Toyota Alphard arrives at Iswaran\\u2019s home at 8.13am and is expected to take him to the Supreme Court. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Interactive: A quick look at the case so far\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T07:20:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:17:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"What prompted the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau investigation into Iswaran\\u2019s conduct?What were the key exchanges between the prosecution and defence teams in the High Court on Sept 24?For a quick recap of the key developments of the case so far, read this interactive feature: Iswaran pleads guilty: What happened & what\\u2019s next?ST ILLUSTRATION: MIEL \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"cpohkwan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Prevention of Corruption Act v Section 165 of the Penal Code\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T07:58:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:13:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), the prosecution must prove that the gift-givers used valuables to induce their recipients to return favours.For example, in the earlier PCA charges against Iswaran, he was accused of obtaining Formula 1 tickets, flights between Singapore and Doha, and a night\\u2019s stay at Four Seasons Doha from Singapore GP chairman Ong in exchange for advancing the hotelier\\u2019s business interests.Under Section 165, there is no need to establish a quid pro quo. The act of receiving a gift, for free or for inadequate payment, is already an offence.The PCA can apply to anyone, whereas Section 165 concerns only public servants.Under Section 165, gift-givers are not automatically implicated. Their criminality depends on whether the gifts were given with an intention to corrupt, or out of pure friendship \\u2013 with no ulterior motives.READ MORE: Giving public servants valuable gifts? Here\\u2019s how you could run afoul of the lawST ILLUSTRATION: MIEL \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"carmensin\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"13-year-old student joins the queue \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T08:10:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:10:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Evans Woo, 13, is among the youngest attendees spotted outside the courtroom.He travelled here from Tanah Merah alone this morning.\\u201cThis is the first time in a long time a minister is on trial like this, and I just want to see how it all plays out,\\u201d says Evans, who does not have school today. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Recap: From claiming trial to pleading guilty\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T07:35:26+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:05:56+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran faced 35 charges:Two counts under the Prevention of Corruption Act32 counts under the Penal Code\\u2019s Section 165, which punishes public servants for accepting or obtaining valuables from those they have official dealings withOne count under the Penal Code\\u2019s Section 204A, which criminalises the act of obstructing the course of justiceOn Sept 24, the prosecution team said it was amending the two corruption charges to charges under Section 165. Iswaran\\u2019s defence lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, indicated that his client would be taking a certain course of action.The prosecution proceeded with four counts under Section 165 and one charge of obstructing the course of justice.In his submissions, Mr Singh said his client had always maintained that the corruption charges against him were \\u201cbaseless\\u201d. But when Iswaran received items, including Formula 1 tickets and a Brompton bike, from his friends \\u2013 billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng and construction firm boss David Lum Kok Seng \\u2013 a wrong had been committed under Section 165, and he decided to own up to the wrong, Mr Singh told the court.READ MORE: What is Section 165, and how did Iswaran go from claiming trial to pleading guilty?PHOTO: S. ISWARAN\\/FACEBOOK\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran to be sentenced today\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T06:45:18+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T08:05:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Former transport minister S. Iswaran is Singapore\\u2019s first political office-holder in nearly five decades to be sentenced in court.In a surprising twist, the 62-year-old, who was also the minister-in-charge of trade relations, pleaded guilty at what would have been the start of his trial on Sept 24. This was after the prosecution amended two corruption charges he had earlier vowed to fight.He will be sentenced today. Stay tuned to The Straits Times\\u2019 live coverage.READ MORE: High Court to sentence former transport minister Iswaran on Oct 3ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"First person in the queue reached before 6am\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T07:47:16+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T07:47:29+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Lucas Tan, 20, is first in line for a ticket to the Iswaran sentencing.The full-time national serviceman says he arrived at 5.57am, fearing he might not get a ticket as the queue for the hearing on Sept 24 started as early as 5.30am.\\u201cThis is a one-of-a-kind case in the past few years, so I am interested to see its outcome,\\u201d he says.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s family and friends spotted in queue \",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T07:13:03+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T07:23:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iswaran\\u2019s family members, including his wife Kay Mary Taylor, are queuing for tickets to the public gallery from around 6.10am.Tickets are being given out to members of the media and the public since 7am. So far, about 20 tickets have been issued.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"At least 10 in the queue outside the court by 6.30am\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-03T07:00:20+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-03T07:02:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At least 10 members of the public are spotted in the queue outside the Supreme Court by 6.30am.The ST team will bring you the latest updates on the ground. Stay tuned. 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