Regardless, he still does not need to share a space

One-bedroom suite at the Four Seasons, Doha and the one-man cell in Changi prison. Photos: Four Seasons and Ministry of Home Affairs respectively

In 2022, when Subramaniam Iswaran was asked by Ong Beng Seng to be his guest on a trip to Qatar, during which Mr Ong was reported to have said that he would “look after” Mr Iswaran, the then transport minister accepted the offer, flew to Doha in the billionaire businessman’s private jet and stayed at the Four Seasons in the capital city. The room, investigators reported, was valued at S$4,737.63 for a single night’s stay. This sojourn and the air travels to and fro were among a rather long list of items that he had received from Mr Ong, leading him to his incarceration.

On the hotel’s website, room rates are listed for up to the ‘Ambassador One-Bedroom Suite”, which costs toughly S$1,500 a night (depending on the season). For accommodations that are larger, the request is for interested guests to contact the hotel. These prices, it seems, are not publicly available. Four Seasons Doha is situated on the east coast of the capital and faces the Persian Gulf. Most rooms have a view of the azure waters. The hotel has its own private beach and five swimming pools within the property. Japanese restaurant Nobu’s largest restaurant in the world calls home within.

Four Seasons Doha is situated on the east coast of the capital and faces the Persian Gulf. Most rooms have a view of the azure waters. The hotel has its own private beach and five swimming pools within the property

Yesterday afternoon, not long after he arrived at the State Courts and completed the necessary procedures, Mr Iswaran boarded a Singapore Prison Service (SPS) van and travelled to Changi Prison. According to CNA, the new prisoner will stay in a one-man cell of 6.9 sq m in size, which is smaller than a typical parking lot, but much larger than the typical Hong Kong “subdivided home”. He does not occupy the confines with other inmates as he poses a “higher safety and security risk” if he were to be placed in a shared facility.

In the sole photograph of the cell shared by the media, the space is bare concrete floor and painted walls. The toilet is in the rear, separated by a low divider. He is provided a straw mat (also commonly known as tikar) to sleep on and two blankets, possibly for nights that could turn nippy (even when there is not even a fan in sight). In addition, he is given “the basic necessities for daily living—toothbrush, toothpaste, clothing, slippers, towel, and plastic spoon for meals,” according to SPS. As with Four Seasons Doha, Changi Prison sits on an east coast. Its cells, however, do not afford a view of the sea.

Updated: 8 October, 03:15

Update (7 February 2025, 15:00): Subramaniam Iswaran is out of prison. He will, according to media reports, serve the rest of his one-year sentence (eight months remaining) under home detention. Certain conditions apply, including curfew monitoring, counselling, and the use of an electronic tag, according to the Singapore Prisons Service.