Former Transport Minister S Iswaran completes jail term
SINGAPORE: Former Transport Minister S Iswaran has completed his jail term, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) told CNA .
It said on Friday (Jun 6) that Mr Iswaran had completed his emplacement on the Home Detention Scheme and is no longer under SPS' custody.
SPS did not specify when Mr Iswaran concluded his sentence.
Mr Iswaran was placed on home detention on Feb 7 this year to serve the remainder of his sentence at his residence under specific conditions.
He pleaded guilty on Sep 24, 2024, to four charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which forbids all public servants from obtaining any valuable thing from someone involved with them in an official capacity.
These were for obtaining valuables from Singapore GP majority shareholder Ong Beng Seng and construction boss Lum Kok Seng while he held portfolios that had official dealings with the two men.
Iswaran also pleaded guilty to one charge of obstructing justice by belatedly repaying the cost of a flight to Doha.
Another 30 charges under Section 165 were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
He was sentenced to 12 months' jail, and he began serving his sentence on Oct 7, 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
43 minutes ago
- CNA
Singapore exploring 'worst-case scenario' solutions for its Harvard students: Vivian Balakrishnan
SINGAPORE: Singapore is trying to find solutions to deal with the "worst-case scenario" where Singaporean Harvard University students are not able to physically study in Boston, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said on Saturday (Jun 7). His ministry will continue to seek clarification on international student visas with the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security, he told reporters, though he made no promises that the matter would be resolved in time. Dr Balakrishnan on Saturday completed a four-day working visit to Washington DC. This was the first ministerial visit to the US since both countries elected new governments. Harvard's ability to enrol international students was thrown into turmoil last month after the US government said it would block the university from accepting foreign students, affecting study plans. Though all Singaporean students are set to be affected by the visa issue and possible delays in processing their applications, those studying at Harvard have the "greatest concern", and Singapore's ambassador to the US, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, has held a virtual townhall with them. "We are also trying to find solutions to deal with the worst-case scenario where they would not be able to physically study in Boston," Dr Balakrishnan said, adding that the ministry has some ideas about how to help the students deal with that "without impairing their academic and professional progress". Those who are not in the US yet and have not secured visas may need to have backup plans, he said. "But my main point is we will stay in touch, and we will continue to keep you informed." A court on Thursday ruled that the government cannot enforce US President Donald Trump's latest move to bar most new international students at Harvard from entering the country, following legal action by the university. Beyond Harvard, Reuters also reported last month that the US ordered its consular offices to stop scheduling new visa interviews for students and exchange visitors. "I am not in a position to give any guarantees that this will be resolved in time," said Dr Balakrishnan, when asked about contingencies being planned for Singaporean students. He noted that it is already June, and the academic year in the US usually begins in August. "We will have to watch this space, but rest assured that we will continue to do our best to try to at least get clarification, get certainty ... (and) thereafter, give our students specific advice," he said. Dr Balakrishnan said he hoped that there will be clarifications from US authorities in the next few days, but that these are domestic political issues. "The situation confronting our students is not confined to Singapore, but indeed to all international students," he said. "It is not directed at us. Nevertheless, you can become affected as collateral damage." He added that it is in the interest of both countries keep opportunities open to Singaporeans who want to study and even work in the US. "I hope we will be able to find suitable solutions for our students who want to pursue educational opportunities in the United States." "NO HURDLES" Dr Balakrishnan also said there were no challenges in interacting with his US counterparts during his trip. "There were no hurdles or impediments interacting with the Americans ... We got along in our own usual direct and constructive manner," he said, adding that there was no anxiety on that front. "The anxiety is that we have reached the end of a world order that has prevailed for 80 years, and we are now in a period of transition to a new world order." Singapore has benefited from open trade and free flow of investments and the multilateral rules-based order, he said. "That is clearly changing, and the time of greatest danger is the interregnum – the transition period from one world order to the next. That is why this is a time where we need to be alert, we need to keep our eyes and ears open, and we need to respond promptly and quickly to changes." It is also important to interact frequently, candidly, openly and constructively, especially with a superpower which is of "great strategic importance to us", he said. In response to a question on how tariff discussions are going, Dr Balakrishnan said it will take time because the US is looking for multiple rounds of negotiation with its trading partners. Based on conversations with senators and members of Congress from the two major US political parties, there is still a recognition that trade, investment, intellectual property protection, reliability and supply chain security are vital issues, he said. "Do not just look at the headline numbers of what the tariffs are, but rather think about the primary considerations and anxieties of policy makers across the whole world," he said. Negotiators from different countries have to exercise discretion and care in how they seek to preserve and protect their national interests.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Police vehicle involved in accident with cyclist along Keppel Road, officer assisting with investigations
SINGAPORE: Police investigations are ongoing after an accident involving a police vehicle and a cyclist along Keppel Road towards Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) at around 3.10pm on Friday (Jun 6). Preliminary investigations found that the driver of the vehicle, a regular police officer from the Special Operations Command (SOC), allegedly left the scene after colliding with the cyclist, they said on Saturday, adding that the 30-year-old man is assisting with investigations. The cyclist, a 41-year-old man, was taken conscious to the hospital. Police said the driver was not aware of the collision until the Traffic Police contacted the SOC. The officer returned to the scene immediately to assist with investigations upon being informed, they added. "The officer is assisting with investigations for driving without due consideration of other road users and for causing hurt," said the police.
Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Violent dispute between stepfather and stepson erupts in Yishun rental flat; both arrested
SINGAPORE: An argument between a stepfather and his stepson escalated into a physical altercation at a rental flat in Yishun on Saturday morning, resulting in both men being arrested. The incident occurred around 10am at Block 510A Yishun Street 51. Eyewitnesses told Shin Min Daily News that police officers were seen arriving at the scene shortly after the commotion broke out. Residents familiar with the family said arguments were not uncommon in the unit, which is reportedly shared by a couple and a man in his 30s, believed to be the woman's son. 'They often argue,' one neighbour shared, 'That day, it turned into a fight. The younger man had a head injury, and the fight even spilled into the corridor.' Photos taken after the altercation showed the aftermath outside the flat — a broken shoe rack lay overturned, with footwear scattered across the corridor floor. When reporters visited the flat later, the unit appeared unoccupied. In response to media queries, the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that a 35-year-old man had been taken conscious to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. A 57-year-old man sustained minor injuries but declined medical assistance. Both men were arrested for affray. Police investigations are ongoing.
