When news broke that former transport minister S Iswaran had been indicted on graft charges, the anti-government types was raring to go. The PAP’s squeaky-clean image, which they had prided themselves on, had been tarnished by one of their own. The high ministerial salaries, a fail-safe against corruption, had seemingly failed the test.
Unfortunately for the Opposition, their schadenfreude did not last long.
Despite the initial protests of innocence, Iswaran eventually pleaded guilty to obtaining valuables as a public servant and obstructing the course of justice.
The prosecution sought a 6 – 7 months sentence while the defence looked at a measly eight weeks. However, Justice Vincent Hoong was having none of it. Instead, he went down hard, slapping Iswaran with a year-long jail term.
The message is clear: Singapore will not tolerate any damage to the trust and integrity of its public institutions, even when the offender is a minister who has been an MP for 25 years. In the words of Justice Hoong, “The accused’s record of service and contributions to the nation, while substantial, is at best a neutral factor.”
Therefore, to those who cast doubts about the fairness and independence of our judiciary system, look no further than where Iswaran’s deeds have led him—to a 6.9 sq. m cell with a straw mat for a bed, to be precise.
As Iswaran surrendered himself to the State Courts earlier this week, the trial that started with a bang has now ended with a whimper.
The question now is, how will this incident affect the PAP? With elections nearing, the Opposition is no doubt hoping to milk the case for political mileage. What they did not expect, was how our national institutions have been tested and have passed with flying colours.
In no other country would the CPIB and the Judiciary have been able to carry out their work without interference from the Executive and to the very best of their abilities. It shows the world that our foundations are strong, and that its zero-tolerance on corruption is in our DNA.
From the start, then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had acted decisively. When CPIB investigations were ongoing, with the PM’s concurrence, though without the need for his approval, Iswaran was put on a leave of absence.
By the time criminal charges were filed, Iswaran had promptly resigned (or he would have been sacked). At every stage, the PAP had stayed open and honest with Singaporeans about where things were headed.
In a statement by Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong on the sentencing of Mr S Iswaran, PM Wong acknowledged the contributions Iswaran had made in his political career.
“But his past contributions do not right this wrong,” said PM Wong.
“As painful as it is to act against a colleague and friend…our system of government and politics must always stay clean and free from corruption. This is absolutely vital and non-negotiable.”
In this regard, all the systems, checks and balances that have been installed by every subsequent government, has worked and worked well.
Integrity and incorruptibility form the backbone of Singapore’s success.
As the Iswaran case has shown, rather than obfuscate or lie, the PAP is, regardless of political costs or personal pain, prepared to fall on its sword to ensure that this blend of good politics will continue.