Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran was found guilty last week on one charge of obstructing justice and four others for accepting gifts from individuals with whom he had official dealings. He is the first minister in nearly 50 years to be charged and sentenced to prison in Singapore.

Judge Vincent Hoong stated in his ruling that there is an expectation that senior officials “must avoid any perception that they can be influenced by bribes.” He deemed it appropriate to impose a sentence that exceeded the expectations of both parties, announcing a 12-month prison sentence for the five charges. The defense had requested no more than eight weeks in prison, while the prosecution sought a sentence of six to seven months.

The court granted Iswaran’s request to postpone the start of his sentence until Monday, according to “Channel News Asia.” It remains unclear whether he will appeal the sentence.

Initially facing 35 charges, Iswaran’s trial was continued with only five of them, as prosecutors reduced two corruption charges to one for the illegal acceptance of gifts (bribery). Prosecutors stated they would seek consideration of the remaining 30 charges for sentencing.

Iswaran received gifts worth over $57,000 from Ong Beng Seng, a wealthy Malaysian real estate magnate based in Singapore, and businessman Lum Kok Seng. The gifts included tickets for the Singapore “Formula 1” race, wine, whisky, and a luxury “Brompton” bicycle. Ong purchased the rights to organize the “Formula 1” race in Singapore, and Iswaran served as chairman and later advisor of the Grand Prix organizing committee.

The Attorney-General’s Office indicated it would soon decide whether to charge entrepreneurs Ong and Lum after the conclusion of the case against Iswaran.

Singaporean ministers are among the highest-paid in the world. While the amount involved in Iswaran’s case appears relatively small, his indictment is damaging to the ruling People’s Action Party, which prides itself on a clean image. Singapore ranks among the five least corrupt countries in the world in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

The last cabinet minister charged with corruption was Wee Toon Boon, who was found guilty in 1975 and imprisoned for accepting gifts in exchange for assistance to a businessman. Another cabinet minister was investigated for corruption in 1986 but died before charges were brought against him.

Iswaran resigned shortly before the bribery charges were filed against him. His trial comes just over four months after Singapore appointed new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong following Lee Hsien Loong’s resignation after 20 years in office.

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a heartfelt video message to the nation, extending his condolences to the families of eight soldiers killed during operations in southern Lebanon. This statement came shortly after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced their deaths, marking a significant moment amid escalating tensions in the region.

In his address, Netanyahu expressed, “I want to convey my sincere condolences to the families of our heroes who fell today in Lebanon. We are in the midst of a fierce battle against the axis of evil led by Iran, which seeks to destroy us. This will not happen, because we will stand united, and with God’s help, we will triumph together.” His words resonated with a deep sense of solidarity and resolve as Israel faces growing threats from militant groups.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the issue of hostages, stating that approximately 100 individuals remain in the hands of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He underscored the emotional and strategic implications of these hostages, noting the urgency of their situation. Furthermore, he mentioned the Israeli citizens who have been forced to evacuate their homes in the northern regions due to the threats posed by Hezbollah. “We will rescue our hostages in the south, we will return the residents to the north, and we will guarantee the eternity of Israel,” Netanyahu asserted, demonstrating a commitment to both the safety of citizens and the defense of the nation.

The backdrop of Netanyahu’s message is marked by the IDF’s recent operations in Lebanon, where military engagements have escalated, resulting in the tragic loss of life. On Wednesday, the IDF reported the death of one soldier, followed by the announcement of seven additional fatalities in separate incidents in southern Lebanon. This surge in violence has heightened the stakes for Israel, prompting an urgent response from its leadership.

Netanyahu’s remarks reflect a broader narrative of resilience and determination within Israel, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of adversity. As the nation grapples with the consequences of ongoing conflicts, his pledge to rescue hostages and protect Israeli citizens resonates deeply with those affected by the turmoil.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister’s message is not just a reflection of the immediate crisis but a call to action for Israelis to remain steadfast and united against threats that challenge their existence. As tensions continue to rise in the region, Netanyahu’s words serve as a rallying cry for a nation committed to its security and future.

EDITED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”

Yesterday, Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s assassination in Beirut of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah last week and its assassination in Tehran of Hamas’s political chief Ismail Haniyeh in July.United States President Joe Biden instructed the US military to assist Israel in neutralising the missiles – not that Israel is not already equipped with various layers of ultra-sophisticated protection against incoming projectiles, which permit it to go about slaughtering folks left and right while suffering minimal damage in return.During a news briefing at the White House, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that US naval destroyers had “joined Israeli air defence units in firing interceptors to shoot down in-bound missiles”. Praising the “professionalism” of the Israeli military, Sullivan also lauded the “skilled work of the US military and meticulous joint planning in anticipation of the attack”.

Off course, not once has it occurred to the Biden administration to meticu

lously thwart Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where officially more than 41,000 people have been killed in less than a year although the true death toll is without a doubt exorbitantly higher. Nor has the oh-so-skilled US military deemed it necessary to interfere in the wanton butchery currently going down in Lebanon, where Israel just killed more than 700 people in less than a week.And while many an international observer has sounded the alarm that the US could now be “dragged” into a regional war – warnings that will only increase after the Iranian missile attack – in reality the US is not really being “dragged” anywhere.Rather, the US is in a position entirely of its own making. And the fact of the matter is that the US is already at war.To be sure, even prior to the launch of the genocide, the US habit of flinging billions of dollars at the Israeli military on an annual basis long ago made it transparently complicit in Israeli efforts to disappear Palestine. Since October 7, the billions have only multiplied, despite Biden’s intermittent squawking about cutting off the supply of certain offensive weaponry to Israel.In August, the Biden administration approved a $20bn weapons package to its Israeli partner in crime. And on September 26, the Reuters news agency reported Israel’s announcement that “it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States to support its ongoing military efforts and to maintain a qualitative military edge in the region”.The package was said to include “$3.5 billion for essential wartime procurement… and $5.2 billion designated for air defense systems including the Iron Dome anti-missile system, David’s Sling and an advanced laser system”.