KUALA LUMPUR – Former Singaporean transport minister S Iswaran, who is serving a 12-month sentence, was placed on home detention on Friday (February 7), the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) confirmed.
According to CNA, Iswaran will serve the remainder of his sentence at home under conditions such as curfew monitoring via an electronic tag, employment or training, and attending SPS counselling sessions.
He began his jail term on October 7, 2024.
Under the Prisons Act, inmates with good behaviour may qualify for remission after serving two-thirds of their sentence or at least 14 days. Those sentenced to at least four weeks may be eligible for home detention for up to 12 months after serving at least 14 days.
SPS stated Iswaran was assessed as low risk for reoffending, committed no prison offences, and has strong family support. Lawyers noted inmates typically qualify for home detention after serving one-third of their term.
“During home detention, those with approved jobs can leave home during working hours, while unemployed individuals generally have limited afternoon hours outside,” said Adrian Wee of Lighthouse Law LLC.
SPS revealed that 44% of eligible inmates were placed on home detention last year. However, the agency did not confirm Iswaran’s release.
In September 2024, Iswaran was convicted on five charges after pleading guilty to lesser offences related to receiving gifts while in public office.
Originally facing two counts of corruption, the charges were later reduced to offences under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits public servants from accepting valuable items from individuals linked to their official duties. He also admitted to obstructing justice.
Iswaran’s lawyer, Davinder Singh, argued the offences caused minimal harm and did not affect government impartiality. “The public only learned about the gifts when Iswaran was charged,” he said, adding that there was no evidence the gifts influenced government contracts.
Before sentencing, Singh requested a maximum of eight weeks, emphasising that Iswaran’s actions did not harm government interests. He maintained that the gifts were exchanged within personal friendships and that Iswaran took responsibility upon learning of the law.
He also noted media coverage focused on the initial corruption charges, forcing Iswaran to contest the case until the charges were amended. – February 7, 2025