SINGAPORE: Former transport minister S. Iswaran has decided to plead guilty on Tuesday (Sept 24), on what was supposed to be the first day of his scheduled trial.
It had been slated to last several months into March 2025.
Iswaran, 62, indicated that he will plead guilty to five charges.
When the court hearing began at 10am, Iswaran’s lawyer Senior Counsel Davinder Singh said: “My client will be taking a certain course of action, in view of the fact that the prosecution is no longer proceeding with charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.”
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At about 10.05am, the court was adjourned for several minutes for the amended charges to be read to Iswaran before a plea is taken.
Iswaran had originally rejected the charges and allegations made against him and had maintained he was not guilty.
In a statement after he was first charged on Jan 18, Iswaran had said: “I am innocent and will now focus on clearing my name.”
On Sept 24, Iswaran arrived at the High Court at around 9.25am.
Members of the public had queued up as early as 5am outside court to watch the trial unfold.
This story is developing. - The Straits Times/ANN