Indian-origin former politician of Singapore, Subramaniam Iswaran, has been provided with a 6.9 sq m cell at Changi prison in relation to a corruption case.

The 62-year-old is the first minister of the country to be prosecuted in 50 years.

The Indian-origin was handed a one-year jail sentence on September 24 for obtaining illegal gifts worth about US $3,13,200 over the period of 7 years from two businessmen, and for obstruction of justice.

Another 30 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

He was charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act under section 165 of the Penal Code.

As per his statement on October 7, he wrote, “I will not be appealing the sentence handed down by the Court.”

“I accept that as a Minister what I did was wrong under section 165.  I accept full responsibility for my actions and apologise unreservedly to all Singaporeans,” as per his Facebook post.

Iswaran served as minister-in-charge of Trade Relations between 2018 and 2024, and minister for transport between 2021 and 2024.

The Chennai born Singaporean minister resigned as a member of the People’s Action Party (PAP), Minister for Transport and his seat as Member of Parliament (MP) for West Coast GRC in January 2024.

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