Latest news with #CPIB
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Tycoon spared jail in ex-minister case, fined S$30k
Billionaire tycoon Ong Beng Seng ( pic ) was fined S$30,000 (RM98,385) for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran. Ong, 79, was handed the maximum fine yesterday for the offence after he had earlier pleaded guilty to it on Aug 4. When Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng delivered the sentence, Ong looked ahead and had no reaction. After the hearing ended, he gave a thumbs up to one of his lawyers. Judge Lee agreed with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be exercised in this case due to Ong's ill health. She said: 'Based on the clear and undisputed medical evidence before this court, the accused suffers from advanced multiple myeloma (an incurable cancer of plasma cells), and a sentence of imprisonment would carry a high and increased risk of endangering his life.' Judge Lee noted the offences committed by Ong in this case were undoubtedly serious, as the charge he admitted to involved conduct likely to obstruct the course of justice. Had Ong's medical condition been absent, the appropriate sentence would have been three months' jail, said Judge Lee. The prosecution had earlier acknowledged that while eight weeks' imprisonment would ordinarily be warranted in this case, they did not object to a fine for Ong as jail time would result in an increased risk of endangering his life. Ong's lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, had argued that his client's medical condition has had a destructive impact on his skeletal system. Imprisoning him would thus dramatically increase life-threatening risks for him, said Bull. Ong, the Malaysian tycoon who is the rights owner of the Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore GP) arrived at the State Courts at around 2pm flanked by his lawyers and security team. Ong did not speak to reporters as he walked towards the entrance. The hearing ended in 30 minutes, after which Ong was seen signing what appeared to be a cheque book. He left the State Courts at around 3.25pm without speaking to the media. Those convicted of abetment of obstruction of justice can be jailed for up to seven years, fined or both. Under the Criminal Procedure Code, the District Court can impose a maximum fine of S$30,000 for the offence. In December 2022, Ong asked Iswaran if the then minister would like to join him on a trip to Qatar. Ong told Iswaran he would be his guest, travelling on his private jet. The businessman added he would take care of all of Iswaran's expenses for the trip, including his hotel accommodation. Iswaran accepted his offer. After one night in Doha, Iswaran returned to Singapore on a business-class flight valued at S$5,700 (RM18,693), which Singapore GP also paid for. In May 2023, while the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating a separate matter relating to Ong's associates, it came across the flight manifest of the outbound flight on Ong's private jet that Iswaran took to Doha. On May 18, Ong was informed by his associates that CPIB had seized the flight manifest that had details of the Doha trip. Ong told Iswaran about this over the phone. Iswaran asked Ong to have Singapore GP bill him for the Doha trip, including the flight to Singapore on Dec 11, 2022. Ong agreed and had Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang arrange the payment, and told Mok to keep proper records of this. On May 24, 2023, Mok e-mailed Iswaran's personal assistant with an invoice for the flight from Doha to Singapore. Iswaran then issued a cheque for S$5,700 to Singapore GP, which the prosecution said had a tendency to obstruct the course of justice, as it made it less likely that he would be investigated by CPIB in relation to the Doha trip. The prosecution said Ong also knew that Iswaran's act of paying for the flight from Doha to Singapore was likely to obstruct the course of justice. On Oct 3, 2024, Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months' jail after he pleaded guilty to five charges, including four over obtaining valuable items as a public servant. — The Straits Times/ANN
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Ong Beng Seng sentenced: A timeline of his court case involving Iswaran
SINGAPORE: Malaysian businessman Ong Beng Seng was sentenced on Friday (Aug 15) to a S$30,000 fine for abetting former Transport Minister S Iswaran in the obstruction of justice. He had helped to arrange for Mr Iswaran to be billed belatedly for a sum of S$5,700 for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore. Ong had invited Mr Iswaran on that trip, at Ong's expense, and Mr Iswaran asked to be billed for it months later, after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) discovered Mr Iswaran's name on the flight manifest while investigating a separate case. Here's how events unfolded. Jul 12, 2023: CPIB announces investigation involving Mr Iswaran CPIB announced that Mr Iswaran was assisting with an investigation into a case uncovered by the agency. It did not elaborate on the nature of the probe as investigations were ongoing. Then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said separately that the CPIB investigation would require Mr Iswaran and other individuals to be interviewed by CPIB. The bureau sits under the Prime Minister's Office. Mr Lee instructed Mr Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation was completed, with others covering his portfolios. According to then-Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the case was "completely driven by CPIB from the beginning" and that there had been no public complaint. Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was later seen entering and leaving CPIB headquarters. Jul 14, 2023: HPL announces Ong Beng Seng's arrest Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), which Ong co-founded, announced that he had been given a "notice of arrest". The company said in the filing on the Singapore Exchange that Ong was also asked by CPIB to provide information in relation to his interactions with Mr Iswaran. Ong is widely credited with playing a key role in a deal struck in 2007 between the Singapore Tourism Board and then-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to bring the first night race to Singapore. Mr Iswaran was actively involved in the government's engagements with F1, making appearances at press conferences where announcements about the event were made. Aug 2, 2023: Ministerial statement Mr Lee gave a ministerial statement in parliament addressing the probe involving Mr Iswaran. He revealed that Mr Iswaran had been interdicted from duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice. Jan 18, 2024: Mr Iswaran charged Mr Iswaran was charged in court, with a defence team led by top lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh. On its end, the prosecution was led by Chief Prosecutor Tan Kiat Pheng. Mr Iswaran was given 27 charges: 24 charges of obtaining a valuable thing as a public servant, two charges of corruption and one charge of obstructing the course of justice. He pleaded not guilty. The corruption charges alleged that in September and December 2022, Iswaran obtained from Ong more than S$166,200 to advance Ong's business interests in relation to a contract between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board. Shortly after he was charged, Mr Iswaran's resignation from all official roles was announced. Mr Iswaran also said he would return all the money received in his salary as a minister and allowances as an MP, from the beginning of CPIB's investigations in July 2023. Mar 25, 2024: Mr Iswaran gets new charges Mr Iswaran was handed eight new charges. He was accused of obtaining S$19,000 worth of items, including alcohol and golf clubs, from Mr Lum Kok Seng, the managing director of Lum Chang Holdings. It was the parent company of Lum Chang Building Contractors, which was involved in several government projects. It won a S$325 million contract in 2016 for works to Tanah Merah Station and existing viaducts. Aug 12, 2024: The first tranche of trial dates was fixed for Mr Iswaran's case for Sep 10 to Sep 13, 2024. Sep 5, 2024: The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) announces that the trial will be moved to Sep 24, 2024. An AGC spokesperson said both the prosecution and defence had requested the court to adjourn the start of the hearing. Sep 24, 2024: Mr Iswaran pleads guilty In a surprise move, Mr Iswaran pleaded guilty on what was to be the first day of his criminal trial. Two corruption charges were amended to lesser charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which forbids all public servants from obtaining any valuable thing from someone involved with them in an official capacity. Mr Iswaran pleaded guilty to four charges under Section 165 and one charge of obstruction of justice, with another 30 charges taken into consideration. None of the eventual charges proceeded with or taken into consideration were corruption charges. The prosecution sought six to seven months' jail, while the defence sought no more than eight weeks' jail. Sentencing was adjourned to Oct 3, 2024. Oct 3, 2024: Mr Iswaran gets jail The judge sentenced Iswaran to a jail term of 12 months, almost double what the prosecution had sought. Mr Iswaran's lawyer asked for the sentence to be deferred to Oct 7, stressing that this was subject to the defence taking instructions from Mr Iswaran, alluding to the possibility of an appeal. He remained out on bail of S$800,000. Oct 4, 2024: Ong charged A day after Mr Iswaran was convicted, Ong was charged with two offences – for abetting Mr Iswaran in obtaining gifts as a public servant, and with abetting him in the obstruction of justice. Oct 7, 2024: Mr Iswaran surrenders to begin jail term On Oct 7, 2024, Mr Iswaran surrendered at the State Courts ahead of the 4pm deadline to begin his 12-month jail term. He released a statement on Facebook before that, saying he would not be appealing the sentence handed down by the court. He said it was important to him that the public prosecutor amended the charges against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act to those under Section 165 of the Penal Code, for the acceptance of gifts by public servants. "I accept that as a minister what I did was wrong under Section 165. I accept full responsibility for my actions and apologise unreservedly to all Singaporeans," he wrote. "My family's well-being and the emotional toll on my loved ones of a long trial extending well into 2025, and possibly beyond, has also weighed heavily on me. "The past 15 months have already been most difficult. With this decision, I hope that we can put the pain and anguish behind us, move forward and rebuild our lives together." Oct 30, 2024: Ong allowed to leave Singapore Ong was granted an application to leave the country, but he had to furnish an additional bail sum of S$800,000, which meant he was on bail for S$1.6 million. He was allowed to head to places like London, Boston and Spain for purposes including medical treatment and business. Feb 7, 2025: Ong reportedly battling bone marrow cancer CNA reported that Ong was battling bone marrow cancer, with one source saying he had multiple myeloma. This is a rare type of bone marrow cancer characterised by abnormal expansion of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Feb 28, 2025: Guilty plea date set for Ong Following a pre-trial conference, Ong was given the date of Apr 2, 2025, to plead guilty. This later fell through and a new date was fixed for Jul 3, 2025. Jul 2, 2025: Guilty plea date adjourned again A day before Ong was set to plead guilty, the hearing was adjourned and changed to a pre-trial conference on Jul 8, 2025. The judiciary said that both the prosecution and defence had asked for more time to file submissions on sentencing. Jul 28, 2025: New guilty plea date fixed After another pre-trial conference on Jul 28, 2025, a new date for Ong to plead guilty was fixed for Aug 4, 2025. Aug 4, 2025: Ong pleads guilty After months of pre-trial conferences and several adjournments, Ong pleaded guilty to abetting Mr Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice. A second charge will be taken into consideration, for Ong instigating Mr Iswaran to obtain flights and a hotel stay from him. This was when Mr Iswaran knew Ong had business dealings linked with Mr Iswaran's official functions. While most of what Ong had done was already known, as it was reported during Mr Iswaran's case, the details of his medical ailments were new. The defence, led by Drew & Napier's Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, sought a stiff fine for his client and called for judicial mercy. This refers to the discretionary power that Singapore's courts have to impose a sentence that is more lenient than what the circumstances of an offence would otherwise warrant, in recognition of exceptional mitigating circumstances. Ong had incurable medical conditions, including advanced multiple myeloma. Prison would expose Ong to potential infections that could kill him, said the defence. The prosecution did not object to judicial mercy being exercised and asked for the maximum fine to be imposed instead. Had it not been for Ong's medical conditions, his offence would have warranted eight weeks' jail, said Deputy Chief Prosecutor Christopher Ong, also a senior counsel. The judge reserved her sentence, adjourning the case to Aug 15, 2025. Aug 15, 2025: Ong sentenced to S$30,000 fine Ong was fined S$30,000 for abetting Mr Iswaran in the obstruction of justice. The second charge was taken into consideration. Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng agreed with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy was justified, and said a jail sentence would carry a "high and increased risk" of endangering Ong's life. In issuing the maximum fine, Judge Lee said this was in place of the jail term that the offence would ordinarily demand. She added that a starting sentence of 15 weeks' jail would have been appropriate for Ong. After a discount for pleading guilty rather than claiming trial, Judge Lee said the appropriate sentence for Ong was three months' jail. His medical condition was factored into reducing this to a fine, she added.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Ong Beng Seng fined S$30,000 for abetting former Singapore minister Iswaran in obstructing course of justice
SINGAPORE: Billionaire tycoon Ong Beng Seng was fined S$30,000 on Friday (Aug 15) for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran. Ong, 79, was handed the maximum fine for the offence after he had earlier pleaded guilty on Aug 4. When Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng delivered the sentence, Ong looked ahead and had no reaction. A second charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts was taken into consideration during sentencing. Judge Lee agreed with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be exercised in this case due to Ong's incurable medical conditions. 'The accused suffers from multiple myeloma, and a sentence of imprisonment would carry high and increased risks of endangering his life,' said the judge. Judicial mercy is the discretionary power of Singapore's courts to give a more lenient sentence because of exceptional mitigating circumstances. The prosecution had earlier acknowledged that while eight weeks' imprisonment would ordinarily be warranted in this case, they did not object to a fine for Ong as jail time would result in an increased risk of endangering his life. Ong has been diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects white blood cells, which are crucial to the body's immune response. His lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, had argued that his client's medical condition has had a destructive impact on his skeletal system. Imprisoning him would dramatically increase life-threatening risks for him, said SC Bull. Ong arrived at the State Courts at around 2pm flanked by his lawyers and security team. This sparked a media frenzy, but Ong did not speak to reporters as he walked towards the entrance. Ong's offence In December 2022, Ong asked Iswaran if the then minister would like to join him on a trip to Qatar. Ong told Iswaran he would be his guest, travelling on his private jet. The businessman added he would take care of all of Iswaran's expenses for the trip, including his hotel accommodation. Iswaran accepted his offer. On Dec 10, 2022, Iswaran travelled to Doha, Qatar, on Ong's private jet, with the flight valued at around US$7,700 (S$10,410.40, as stated in court documents). Iswaran checked into the Four Seasons Hotel, which cost $4,737.63 for a one-night stay. After one night in Doha, Iswaran returned to Singapore on a business-class flight valued at $5,700, which Singapore GP also paid for. How Ong's actions came to light In May 2023, while the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating a separate matter relating to Ong's associates, it came across the flight manifest of the outbound flight on Ong's private jet that Iswaran took to Doha. On May 18, Ong was informed by his associates that CPIB had seized the flight manifest that had details of the Doha trip. Ong told Iswaran about this over the phone. Iswaran asked Ong to have Singapore GP bill him for the Doha trip, including the flight to Singapore on Dec 11, 2022. Ong agreed and had Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang arrange the payment, and told Mok to keep proper records of this. On May 24, 2023, Mok e-mailed Iswaran's personal assistant with an invoice for the flight from Doha to Singapore. Iswaran then issued a cheque for $5,700 to Singapore GP, which the prosecution said had a tendency to obstruct the course of justice, as it made it less likely that he would be investigated by CPIB in relation to the Doha trip. The prosecution said Ong also knew that Iswaran's act of paying for the flight from Doha to Singapore was likely to obstruct the course of justice. On Oct 3, 2024, Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months' jail after he pleaded guilty to five charges, including four over obtaining valuable items as a public servant. Health conditions Ong's lawyers said he suffered from a 'devastating cocktail of medical problems'. These include: Advanced multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects white blood cells, which are crucial to the body's immune response. Ong was diagnosed in 2020. A hollowed out spinal vertebrae caused by the cancer. A radiology photo of this was shown to the court. A metal rod inserted in the spine, which could become infected. 'Intractable and relentless' diarrhoea, which puts him at risk of hypotension and acute kidney injury. Peripheral vascular disease of both feet, with a non-healing toe wound that places him at risk of infection and gangrene. Risk of falls that could result in permanent disability or life-threatening injury. - The Straits Times/ANN
Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Times
Ong Beng Seng gets S$30,000 fine, no jail term in case involving ex-minister Iswaran
[SINGAPORE] Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was spared jail time on Friday (Aug 15) as the court showed judicial mercy , and was instead fined S$30,000 for dealings with ex-transport minister S Iswaran, who had been convicted of accepting gifts as a public servant. Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng agreed with the prosecution and the defence that judicial mercy should be extended, saying 'the clear and undisputed medical evidence' establishes that a prison sentence would carry a high risk to Ong's life. She added that if Ong did not have that medical condition, an appropriate sentence would be three months' jail. Courts exercise judicial mercy by imposing lenient sentences in exceptional circumstances, such as when the accused has serious medical conditions or when imprisonment would endanger their life. Ong suffers from multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer that has compromised his immune system and made him vulnerable to life-threatening infections. His lawyers had argued that a jail term would thus put his life at great risk. The prosecution accepted this and did not object to Ong receiving the maximum fine of S$30,000, instead of the custodial sentence of eight weeks' jail that would ordinarily have been appropriate. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The offence of abetting the obstruction of justice carries up to seven years' jail, a fine, or both, with S$30,000 being the maximum fine that the district court can impose under the Criminal Procedure Code. From graft probe to sentencing Ong's sentencing concludes the legal saga of Ong and Iswaran's dealings, during which Iswaran was convicted for accepting gifts while serving as transport minister. The former minister was first investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in 2023. Though he initially claimed trial, he later pleaded guilty on Sep 24, 2024, to four charges of accepting gifts as a public servant and one charge of obstruction of justice. Iswaran received 12 weeks' jail for his offences – a heavier sentence than what the prosecution had asked for. He began his sentence that October and was later placed on the Home Detention Scheme on Feb 7. Ong's involvement stemmed from his role in bringing the Formula 1 race to Singapore. Iswaran had been minister-in-charge of trade relations and was the government's chief negotiator with the Singapore GP on F1-related business matters. In December 2022, Ong invited Iswaran to Qatar, and they flew to Doha on Ong's private jet. Iswaran then returned to Singapore on a business-class flight. The flight to Doha was worth US$7,700, and the return flight was worth S$5,700. Ong also made arrangements for a one-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, valued at S$4,737.63. In May 2023, when CPIB seized the flight manifest for the Doha trip during a separate investigation, Ong informed Iswaran by phone. The next day, Iswaran asked Ong to have Singapore GP bill him for the trip expenses. Ong agreed – an act that constituted obstructing justice.
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
The officers who fight corruption in Singapore
They work behind closed doors, but their cases sometimes make headlines - like their high-profile investigations into former transport minister S Iswaran and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. CNA speaks to the officers at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) about their motivations, day-to-day work and the emotional toll of investigating corruption.
