[wendychan]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapor...ib-4054406

The first corruption charge alleges that Iswaran, in his capacity as a government minister, corruptly obtained gratification totalling S$145,434 from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. This was in exchange for advancing the latter's business interests relating to a contract between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Mr Ong owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.

Iswaran is accused of corruptly obtaining 10 Green Room tickets, eight tickets named "Twenty3" and 32 general admission tickets to the 2022 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix in September 2022.

These were worth about S$48,150, S$56,068 and S$41,216 respectively.

The second corruption charge states that Iswaran corruptly obtained from Mr Ong in December 2022 gratification in exchange for advancing his business interests over a contract with a public body over the Singapore GP-STB facilitation agreement, as well as a proposal for a contract with STB to establish the ABBA Voyage virtual concert in Singapore.

Iswaran was also handed one count of obstructing justice by making a repayment of S$5,700 to Singapore GP around May 25, 2023.

That was the cost of his business flight ticket from Doha to Singapore that he took on Dec 11, 2023, at Mr Ong's expense through Singapore GP, the charge sheet stated.

The remaining 24 charges are for obtaining valuable items as a public servant, being a minister of Singapore.

The charges are for a period between November 2015 and December 2021.