S.Iswaran is a former Singaporean politician. He held the position of Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations from 2018 to 2024 and served as Minister for Transport from 2021 to 2024.
Bio/Wiki
Age- 61 years
Full name- Subramaniam Iswaran
Height-N/A
Weight-N/A
Born- 14 June 1962
Birthplace-Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Spouse-Kay Mary Taylor
Profession-Politician, Former Minister for Transport of Singapore
Nationality- Singaporean
Family
Details about S. Iswaran’s parents are not available
Wife
Iswaran is married to Kay Mary Taylor, and they have three children: a daughter and two sons, named Monisha Iswaran, Krishan Iswaran, and Sanjaya Iswaran.
Education
After graduating from the University of Adelaide with first-class honors in economics, thanks to a Colombo Plan scholarship, he pursued a Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard University.
Career
Iswaran held various prominent roles in both the private and public sectors. He served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Temasek Holdings from 2003 to 2006, Director for International Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), and Director of Strategic Development at Singapore Technologies from 1996 to 1998.
His political journey began in the 1997 general election when he contested as part of a People’s Action Party (PAP) team in West Coast GRC, winning with 70.14% of the vote and becoming a Member of Parliament.
From 2004 to 2006, Iswaran served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament. On July 1, 2006, he was appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Following the 2006 general election, Iswaran was promoted to Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry on April 1, 2008. A year later, on April 1, 2009, he was given an additional appointment as Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Education.
After the 2011 general election, Iswaran was further promoted to a full Minister in the Cabinet and appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs, and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. Post the 2015 general election, on October 1, 2015, he took up the portfolio of Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) alongside Lim Hng Kiang.
On May 1, 2018, he assumed the role of Minister for Communications and Information, while still overseeing trade relations within the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Following the 2020 general election, Iswaran retained his position as Minister in the Ministry of Communications and Information. Then, on May 15, 2021, after a Cabinet reshuffle, he was appointed Minister for Transport while continuing his role as Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations.
Corruption Allegation
Iswaran was arrested on July 11, 2023, for alleged corruption, with his passport seized. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong instructed him to take leave until the investigation ended. This was the first high-profile graft probe involving a minister since 1986. Iswaran’s access to government offices was restricted, and he remained in Singapore. On August 2, his pay was reduced, but he continued as an MP. By January 9, 2024, CPIB’s investigation concluded, and Iswaran was charged on January 18 with bribery and corruption. He resigned from PAP and his roles as Minister and MP, defended by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh.
Net Worth
Iswaran’s net worth is estimated to be around 10 million.
