Jailed Singapore Ex-Minister Transferred to House Arrest

A former senior minister in Singapore is now under house arrest after serving time for corruption, marking a significant turn in a rare case involving corruption among public officials.

Subramaniam Iswaran, the first political office-holder in Singapore indicted in five decades, transitioned from prison to home arrest following his 12-month sentence for accepting gifts exceeding S$403,000 (around $300,000) during his time in office. He also pleaded guilty to obstructing justice. His case, which drew attention in the nation renowned for its clean governance, reflects the rarity of corruption cases among its public servants.

On Friday, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) announced Iswaran's move to home detention, emphasizing that he had been deemed a “low risk of re-offending.” Officials commended his conduct in prison and noted he received strong family support, prompting the decision for his alternative sentencing arrangement. While in home detention, Iswaran is required to wear an electronic monitoring device and is obligated to check in regularly with prison authorities for counseling.

Visuals released by local media outlet Channel News Asia showed Iswaran comfortably dining at home. His sentencing last October was notable; it exceeded the terms sought by both defense and prosecution teams, as the judge highlighted the severe breach of trust involved in his position.

Iswaran's case marks a significant chapter in Singapore's history, the last comparable event occurring in 1986 when Development Minister Teh Cheang Wan faced investigation before tragically taking his own life prior to charges being brought.