The highly anticipated corruption trial of Singapore's former transport minister is due to start on Tuesday, in a rare graft case involving a state official in an Asian financial hub that prides itself on a clean governance.

The long-awaited corruption trial of Singapore’s former transport minister is set to begin on Tuesday as the city-state addresses its biggest political scandal in nearly four decades.

Singapore's former transport minister will appear in court Tuesday for the start of its first political graft trial in more than four decades, which has gripped a nation often cited

The case against Iswaran, a former party member, is a test for a party that has long relied on its reputation for clean governance to win all elections since Singapore's independence in 1965

But 36 hours after the chequered flag was waved, the man who was instrumental in bringing the night race to the country will go on trial for corruption. Former cabinet minister Subramnian Israwan faces 35 charges,

The trial, set for Tuesday, could challenge the PAP’s image and bring lesser-known aspects of public service to light, observers say.