Iswaran Allowed to Remain Overseas for Another 16 Days After He Fell Ill in Australia

By
Shernice Sim
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Picking up from where we last left off with the whole former Transport Minister Subramaniam Iswaran situation, he has been granted permission to extend his trip overseas by 16 days because he had fallen sick.

The last we have heard of him, Iswaran was facing 27 charges in court, including corruption and obtaining valuables as a public servant. However, he is out on bail of S$800,000 and has since resigned from the People’s Action Party (PAP).

Iswaran Allowed to Leave Singapore on Bail

According to the State Courts, individuals who face criminal charges and wish to travel overseas have to submit an application to leave jurisdiction (known as LEJUR).

The judges will then assess factors such as the likeliness of the accused person fleeing while abroad, the seriousness of the charges, as well as the reasons for leaving Singapore.

If granted permission, judges will then impose additional bail conditions to deter the accused from fleeing.

Iswaran had applied for and received permission from the State Courts on 8 February 2024, three weeks after he was handed the 27 charges, to leave Singapore to help his son settle into university in Australia. 

For which, he had to agree to conditions like footing an additional cash bail of S$500,000, providing his itinerary and address, remaining in contact with the investigation officer (IO), and surrendering travel documents upon return.

Iswaran’s bailor, identified only as Mr Ng, had agreed to the aforementioned conditions before the judge. 

Iswaran’s case was also transferred to the High Court, with the prosecution proclaiming that this was due to strong public interest in the case.

Iswaran’s Return to Singapore Delayed Due to Illness

However, what was meant to be a trip from 16 February to 4 March has now been extended to 19 March, as Iswaran had reportedly fallen ill during his trip. The exact details of Iswaran’s illness remains unknown.

A spokesman for the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said in a statement on 4 March that the application for the extension of Iswaran’s trip had been filed to the State Court on the same day. 

To which, the prosecution did not oppose the recent application, but outlined stricter bail conditions for Iswaran to follow.

He must conduct daily video calls with the investigation officer (IO) to give updates on his medical status and to report on whether there are any issues concerning his arrival to Singapore by 19 March.

Additionally, he must surrender his passport to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau by 20 March.

In Iswaran’s resignation letter dated 16 January 2024, he had written that he rejected the charges and allegations made against him and would be focusing on proving his innocence.

As of today, Iswaran could face a maximum penalty of a S$100,000 fine, a seven-year imprisonment term, or both, with each corruption charge. 

He could also be fined, imprisoned for up to two years, or both, for obtaining valuable items from individuals he had business dealings with as a public servant.

For obstructing justice, he could face imprisonment for up to seven years, fines, or both.

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Shernice Sim