SINGAPORE – Singapore’s system of government and politics must always stay clean and free from corruption, and those entrusted with public service must uphold the highest standards of integrity, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. In a statement issued after former transport minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail , PM Wong said he was disappointed and saddened by Iswaran’s political career ending in such fashion.
“As painful as it is to act against a colleague and friend, it is our duty to do so when necessary. Our system of government and politics must always stay clean and free from corruption,” he said on Oct 3. “Those entrusted with public service must uphold the highest standards of integrity and their conduct must be beyond reproach.
This is absolutely vital and non-negotiable.” Here is his statement in full: “Mr S. Iswaran had pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining, as a public servant, valuable things for no consideration (Section 165 of the Penal Code) and one charge of obstructing the course of justice (Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code).
Another 30 charges under Section 165 were taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing. “The offence under Section 165 deals specifically with bribery and other forms of corrupt practices involving public servants. The court said that the essence of the offence under Section 165 is the damage to the trust in, and integrity of, public institutions stemming from the perception that pub.