SINGAPORE : Non-Constituency MP Steve Chia says the deputy public prosecutor has agreed to reduce his traffic offence from "dangerous driving" to "driving without due care."
This is on condition he pleads guilty to the reduced charge, which carries a maximum fine of S$1,000.
This means even if he were convicted, he would still be eligible to run for the coming General Election.
Chia arrived at the Subordinate Courts on Thursday for a pre-trial conference on his traffic offence.
He was alleged to have run a red traffic light last July at the junction of Bishan and Braddell Roads, resulting in a collision with an SBS bus.
The charge carries a fine of up to S$3,000 and maximum one year's jail.
Under the Constitution, anyone who is fined S$2,000 or jailed for a year is not allowed to stand for election for five years.
But Chia is upbeat that his case will not spoil his chances to stand in the coming General Election.
An hour later, the 35-year-old emerged from the courts looking upbeat.
Said Chia, "We've written to them either to drop the case or to reduce it, so we're happy that they are reducing it. We're awaiting for the statement of facts to see what is in that, to see whether to plead or how to plead guilty."
The case will be mentioned again on May 30.
If Chia pleads guilty to the reduced charge, he could be fined up to S$1,000, and still be eligible for elections.
Chia said he is not worried about the case; he is confident it will be resolved before the General Election is called. - CNA /ct