
Singapore unveils new Cabinet line-up
Hashtags

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


CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
Billionaire Ong Beng Seng fined S$30,000 over Iswaran case; no jail time due to poor health
Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng has been fined S$30,000, for abetting former Singapore transport minister S Iswaran in obstructing justice. He was not given a jail term due to his poor health. Jeraldine Yap with the details.


CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he was fined for abetting in obstruction of justice
SINGAPORE: Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng's permanent resident (PR) status will be reviewed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) after he was fined for abetting in the obstruction of justice on Friday (Aug 15). In response to CNA queries, the ICA said Singapore permanent residents who have been convicted of an offence will have their PR status reviewed. 'ICA will review Mr Ong Beng Seng's PR since he has been convicted and sentenced,' the authority said on Friday. Ong, 79, was fined S$30,000 (US$23,400) on Friday for abetting former Transport Minister S Iswaran in the obstruction of justice. Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng had agreed with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy was justified and imposed the maximum fine a district court can give, instead of three months' jail. She said that imprisonment would carry a high risk of endangering Ong's life since he has incurable malignant cancer - multiple myeloma – and is immunosuppressed and more prone to unusual and severe infections. The cancer, which has destroyed parts of his skeletal system, has also made him susceptible to falls. Judge Lee explained that the risks would be increased in prison even if Ong were to be housed in a medical ward, and his fall risk would also be heightened.

Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
UK councillor acquitted by a jury over ‘cut all their throats' speech
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON - A British councillor was on Aug 15 acquitted of encouraging violent disorder for saying far-right activists should have their throats cut amid riots in 2024, drawing claims from right-wing politicians of a hypocritical 'two-tier' justice system. Mr Ricky Jones made the comments at a counter-protest in London after three girls were murdered in the north English town of Southport and was suspended by the ruling Labour party. Disinformation on social media said the teenager who committed the murders at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was an Islamist migrant, fuelling days of violent riots including attacks on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. Mr Jones, 58, was cleared by a jury following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. He had made the remarks to a crowd gathered near an immigration advice centre in London after reports that far-right supporters were planning a protest. 'They are disgusting Nazi fascists... We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all,' he said, running a finger across his throat. Mr Jones gave evidence that he did not intend his words to be taken literally and said his comments referred to far-right stickers with hidden razor blades found on a train. Right-wing politicians and activists said his case was an example of how Britain had an unfair police and justice system, with those who voice concerns about immigration treated differently to those who support liberal or left-wing causes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency Asia Former China envoy to Singapore Sun Haiyan reappears after reported questioning Singapore Over 600 orchids on display at Gardens by the Bay to mark 60 years of Singapore-Malaysia ties Singapore Father of 4 among S'poreans arrested in CNB raids; drugs worth over $128k seized They contrasted Mr Jones' treatment with that of Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor who was jailed for 31 months for inciting racial hatred for a post urging mass deportation of migrants and the burning of their hotels. Unlike Mr Jones, she had pleaded guilty to the offence. Mr Chris Philp, the opposition Conservative Party's home affairs spokesperson, said on X: 'The development of two-tier justice is becoming increasingly alarming.' Mr Zia Yusuf, from the populist right-wing Reform UK party which is leading in opinion polls, also compared Mr Jones' acquittal to Connolly's sentence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was labelled 'two-tier Keir' by some opponents last summer after claims some ethnic groups were policed more leniently than others, a suggestion that has been rejected by senior ministers, police chiefs and prosecutors. REUTERS