Singapore corruption case involving Ong Beng Seng, ex-minister Iswaran sees new developments
Ong, 79, who brought Formula 1 to Singapore in 2008, was first charged in October 2024 with two offences that correspond to charges already admitted by ex-transport minister S Iswaran, CNA reported.
The hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, but court records show the event was delayed after a request that did not specify who made it.
CNA said it had contacted both Ong's PR firm and the Attorney-General's Chambers for clarification.
At the last pre-trial conference on July 8, both parties sought to file revised submissions on sentencing, which led to another adjournment.
The court defines a pre-trial conference as a closed-door session where administrative matters are discussed and which may not always lead to a trial.
Ong is accused of abetting Iswaran in obstructing justice by belatedly paying S$5,700 (RM18,800) for a business class flight only after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) flagged it during investigations.
He also faces a second charge for instigating Iswaran to accept flights and hotel stays while aware of ongoing business ties between them.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along the frontier as death toll rises
BANGKOK (Thailand)/SAMROANG (Cambodia): Thailand and Cambodia pounded each other with heavy artillery fire for a third day on Saturday (July 26) as a border conflict that killed at least 33 people and displaced more than 170,000 from their homes spread across the frontier. Clashes broke out for the first time in the countries' coastal regions where they meet on the Gulf of Thailand, around 250km southwest of the main frontlines thumping with blasts on July 26 afternoon. 'It feels like I'm escaping a war zone,' 76-year-old Samlee Sornchai told AFP at a temple shelter for evacuees in the Thai town of Kanthararom, after abandoning his farm near the embattled frontier. Both sides say they are open to a truce in the combat being fought with jets, tanks and ground troops, but have accused the other of undermining armistice efforts. Tensions initially flared over long-contested ancient temple sites, but fighting has spread along the neighbours' rural frontier region, marked by a ridge of forest-clad hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Both sides reported a coastline clash at around 5am (6am Singapore time), with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of firing 'five heavy artillery shells' into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said 13 people were now confirmed killed in the fighting, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded. Thai authorities say 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than the 28 killed in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011. The fighting has forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with more than 35,000 driven from their homes in Cambodia. After the closed meeting of the Security Council in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire. 'Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,' he told reporters. Border row Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on July 26 that for any ceasefire or talks to proceed, Cambodia needed to show 'genuine sincerity in ending the conflict'. 'I urge Cambodia to stop violating Thai sovereignty and to return to resolving the issue through bilateral dialogue,' he told reporters. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on July 25, before the UN meeting was held, that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. 'We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response,' Nikorndej told AFP. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Asean regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has warned that if the situation escalates, 'it could develop into war'. Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict. '(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well,' said Chhea Keo. Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – still an influential figure in the kingdom – visited shelters on July 26 to meet evacuees. 'The military needs to complete its operations before any dialogue can take place,' he told reporters. The 76-year-old said he had no plans to contact Hun Sen, Cambodia's powerful former prime minister who was long a close ally. 'His actions reflect a disturbed mindset. He should reflect on his conduct,' Thaksin said of Mr Hun Sen. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours – both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists – over their shared 800km border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for more than a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. Relations between the two countries soured dramatically when Hun Sen in June released a recording of a call with suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra focused on the border row. The leak triggered a political crisis in Thailand as Paetongtarn – Thaksin's daughter – was accused of not standing up for Thailand enough, and of criticising her own army. She was suspended from office by a court order. -- AFP, BLOOMBERG


Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Football federation duped by fake emails claiming Xavi and Guardiola applied for India coaching job
NEW DELHI, July 26 — The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed today that a job application attributed to former Barcelona manager and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez for the India head coaching role was a hoax. The AIFF's national team director told The Times of India on Thursday that Xavi's name was on the list of applicants. The report also quoted an AIFF technical committee member saying the his candidacy was deemed too expensive to pursue. 'The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine,' the AIFF said in a statement. It had not been previously reported that the AIFF had also received an application purporting to be from Manchester City manager Guardiola. The AIFF Technical Committee said it had reviewed 170 applications for the Indian men's head coach role, narrowing the list to 10 before short-listing three candidates. The AIFF sacked former India manger Igor Stimac in June last year before appointing Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who left the job this month and returned to his role as coach of Indian Super League team FC Goa. — Reuters


Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops probe break-in at home of Dr M's grandchild
Acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Usuf Jan Mohamad said they are looking into CCTV footage of the victim's residence. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Police are studying CCTV footage to identify those involved in a break-in at the home of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's grandchild in Bukit Ledang here on Wednesday, resulting in losses totalling RM1.8 million. Acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Usuf Jan Mohamad, who confirmed the investigation, said police were also studying CCTV footage of the victim's residence. Usuf had confirmed yesterday that a home belonging to Mahathir's grandchild had been broken into and jewellery worth RM1.8 million had been stolen. The break-in was discovered by a domestic helper at 3pm after she found that the padlock on the back gate had been cut.