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The Star
4 days 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
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Johor customs seizes 3.8kg cannabis in drug smuggling busts
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Royal Malaysian Customs Department successfully intercepted two separate drug smuggling attempts, confiscating a total of 3.825kg of cannabis in operations conducted in Pontian and Batu Pahat. The first raid occurred on May 21 near Pekan Nanas, Pontian, where customs officers inspected two Pos Laju parcels. Inside, they discovered 130g and 97g of compressed plant material suspected to be cannabis. A man in his 40s, believed to be the courier, was arrested. Further checks led to the discovery of a black bag containing 55g of suspected cannabis, along with three smoking devices and a blender. The total estimated value of the seized items was RM22,860. Authorities also confiscated a motorcycle worth RM10,000. The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. In a second operation on June 5, the Marine Unit of the Batu Pahat Enforcement Branch intercepted an unregistered boat docked in a mangrove swamp near a ferry terminal. Officers found three compressed packages wrapped in Chinese tea packaging, containing 3.063kg of suspected cannabis with an estimated value of RM98,016. The boat, worth RM4,000, was also seized. Johor Customs Director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi urged the public to report any smuggling activities via the Customs Toll-Free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or by contacting the nearest Customs office, assuring confidentiality for informants. - Bernama
Barnama
16-07-2025
- Barnama
Johor Customs Foils Two Drug Smuggling Attempts, Seizes 3.8kg Of Cannabis
JOHOR BAHRU, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Johor Royal Malaysian Customs Department foiled two attempts to smuggle 3.825kg of drugs via courier service and illegal water routes in Pontian and Batu Pahat in May and June. Director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the department's Narcotics Branch enforcement team carried out the first raid near Pekan Nanas, Pontian, on May 21. He said two Pos Laju parcels containing 130g and 97g of compressed plant matter suspected to be cannabis were found. A man in his 40s, believed to be the courier, was detained for investigation. "The team also found a black bag containing what is believed to be cannabis weighing 55g, three cannabis smoking devices, and a blender. "The total seizure of drugs and equipment was estimated at RM22,860. A motorcycle worth RM10,000 was also seized. The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said in a statement today. Aminul Izmeer said in the second raid, a team from the Marine Unit of the Batu Pahat Enforcement Branch intercepted an unregistered boat docked in a mangrove swamp near a ferry terminal on June 5. "Checks revealed three compressed packages suspected to be cannabis, wrapped in Chinese tea packaging, weighing 3.063kg with an estimated value of RM98,016. The boat, worth RM4,000, was also seized. "The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Johor Customs foils 2 syndicates' bid to smuggle in drugs by courier, sea
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department busted two unrelated syndicates' attempt to smuggle 3.8kg of cannabis worth about RM121,000 into the country using courier services and coastal routes. In the first case, Customs officers arrested a man suspected of distributing cannabis via courier services in Pekan Nenas, Pontian, on May 21. They found two suspicious parcels, which upon inspection revealed compressed plant material believed to be cannabis weighing 130g and 97g each. A raid on premises linked to the suspect led to the discovery of a black bag containing 55g of what is suspected to be cannabis, three glass bongs and a grinder. The total seizure, including a motorcycle valued at RM10,000, amounted to RM22,860. Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said in the second case on June 5, Customs officers from the Batu Pahat marine unit launched a night raid at a mangrove swamp near the Batu Pahat ferry terminal. "With intelligence gathered from surveillance, officers intercepted an unregistered boat. "On the boat, they found a bag containing three tightly packed blocks of suspected cannabis, disguised in Chinese tea packaging. "The drugs weighed 3.063kg and are worth about RM98,016. The boat, worth RM4,000, was also seized. "The syndicate's modus operandi is to use unregistered boats and back routes to avoid detection of contraband smuggling," he said today. He urged the public to support the department's efforts to fight smuggling, which he said not only caused revenue loss for the government, but also endangered national security and public wellbeing.
The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
Johor Customs seizes 3.825kg of ganja in two major drug busts
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department has foiled two drug distribution attempts involving a total of 3.825kg of ganja. Its director, Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi, said the first case took place on May 21 in Pekan Nenas near Pontian, where the department's narcotics officers uncovered an attempt to distribute cannabis via a local courier service. 'During a detailed inspection of two parcels, our officers discovered compressed plant materials suspected to be ganja, weighing approximately 130g and 97g respectively,' he said here on Wednesday (July 16). Aminul Izmeer added that the seizure led to the arrest of a man believed to be the delivery agent. 'The suspect's arrest resulted in the discovery of a black bag containing another 55g of ganja, three bottles of cannabis smoking paraphernalia and a grinder. 'The total seizure for the case amounted to 762g of cannabis with an estimated street value of RM22,860,' he said, adding that the department also seized a RM10,000 motorcycle from the suspect. Aminul Izmeer said the syndicate's modus operandi involved using courier services to move drugs discreetly to avoid detection from authorities. Meanwhile, in another case, which occurred on June 5, the department's marine unit in Batu Pahat foiled an attempt to smuggle cannabis via illegal maritime routes. 'Acting on a tip-off, enforcement officers raided an unregistered boat moored near the mangrove swamp around the Batu Pahat Ferry Terminal at about 8pm. 'The inspection led to the discovery of a bag containing three compressed blocks of ganja wrapped in Chinese tea packaging, hidden in the front section of the boat,' he said. Aminul Izmeer added that the seized drugs weighed 3.063kg and were valued at RM98,016, while the unregistered boat, worth RM4,000, was also seized. He said the smugglers had used illegal waterways to traffic the drugs, and both cases were being probed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Aminul Izmeer urged the public to work together with the Customs Department to curb all forms of smuggling activities, including drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and vehicles. 'Smuggling activities not only cause revenue loss to the government but also pose serious security and safety threats to the public,' he said. He added that those with information on smuggling activities should contact the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or reach out to the nearest Customs office and assured them that their identities would be kept confidential.
