I believe alot of people were having popcorns in their hands all ready to watch the Great Show of the century but ended up in great disappointment. I wasn’t one of them.
I have explained before when Iswaran was first charged with corruptions, it’s not that easy for the AGC to prove bribery in this case. Accepting gifts and goodies from “good friends” may breach the law on lesser degree but to prove corruptions or bribery, the AGC must prove that there were favours given in return. It means that the prosecution must prove that there were casual relationship between a decision made that favour the givers and the gratifications or gifts received by Iswaran.
But since CPIB has done a thorough investigation and AGC had charged Iswaran for 2 counts of corruptions, I believe there must be some material evidence involved which wasn’t revealed so far.
Although I am not surprised that AGC amended these 2 corruption charges to a lesser charge of accepting gifts as public servant but it is still pretty dramatic for this to happen right in the first moment of the much anticipated trial.
It is even more dramatic when Iswaran’s lawyer, Mr Davinder Singh, pleaded guilty on behalf of his client immediately right after the corruption charges were basically dropped and amended to the lesser charge.
As this case is of great public interests, it is very important for us to get some clarity on the happenings.
What material evidence has the AGC based on when it decided to press corruption charges on Iswaran? Specifically, what favours were perceived as given by Iswaran in return for the gratifications or gifts he has received?
What material change to the evidence or case has occured to make the AGC changes its mind on pressing the corruption charges and amended these two charges into the lesser charges?
It is not uncommon for the prosecution and defense to negotiate for plea bargain but in this case, it is in public interests for both sides to make known whether the current situation is the result of plea bargain.
Even though the prosecution is pressing for 6 to 7 months of jail term for Iswaran, but this is still a major victory for Iswaran. AGC has technically dropped the corruption charges against him and only asking for 7 months jail term when the maximum jail term for obstruction of justice is 7 years.
So keep all your popcorns folks.
Goh Meng Seng
