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Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Singapore authorities to review Malaysian tycoon Ong Beng Seng's PR status
SINGAPORE, Aug 16 — Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng's permanent resident (PR) status in Singapore will be reviewed following his conviction and sentencing for abetting obstruction of justice in a case linked to former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, according to local media reports. An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) spokesperson told The Straits Times (ST) yesterday that it will review the PR status of Singapore permanent residents who have been convicted of an offence. Ong, 79, was fined the maximum amount of S$30,000 on Friday after he pleaded guilty to the charge on Aug 4. A second charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts under Section 165 was taken into consideration for sentencing. Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng agreed with both the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be exercised in this case due to Ong's ill health. The property tycoon suffers from advanced multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer that has damaged his skeletal system and severely compromised his immune system, making him highly vulnerable to life-threatening infections. He also suffers from other complications that further increase his risk of infection and place him at risk of gangrene. — Bernama
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Hotel tycoon spared jail in Singapore obstruction of justice case
Tourists takes picture with the skyline of Singapore, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) Singapore, Singapore -- A Malaysian hotel tycoon who helped bring Formula One to Singapore was spared jail but fined Friday for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to one that saw a minister jailed in the city-state last year. Singapore-based billionaire Ong Beng Seng, 79, was fined Sg$30,000 (US$23,400) nearly two weeks after he pleaded guilty to the charge. Ong, who has incurable cancer, was charged last October with helping then Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran cover up evidence in a probe by the country's anti-corruption bureau. Iswaran was jailed for accepting gifts as a public servant and for obstructing justice. Delivering the sentence Friday, Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng said Ong's medical condition warranted mercy. 'A sentence of imprisonment would carry a high and increased risk of endangering his life,' the judge said. 'I therefore agree with defence and prosecution that exercise of judicial mercy is warranted,' she said. Ong owns Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited and is the rights holder to the Singapore Grand Prix Formula One race. He and Iswaran were instrumental in bringing the street circuit night race to Singapore in 2008. Iswaran was jailed last year after pleading guilty to accepting gifts worth more than Sg$400,000 (US$310,000). He was also found guilty of obstructing justice in the city-state's first political graft trial in nearly half a century. He completed his sentence on June 6.
Forbes
04-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tycoon Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty In Singapore Gifting Case Involving Ex-Minister
Hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng—who holds the franchise for the Formula One Singapore grand prix—pleaded guilty to abetting a senior politician in obstructing the course of justice. The former managing director of Singapore-listed Hotel Properties conceded on Monday to abetting former Transport Minister S. Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice, while another charge was taken into consideration. The charges are related to flights, a hotel stay in Doha and Formula One tickets that Iswaran had received from Ong when the ex-lawmaker headed the Singapore Formula One night race steering committee. While Ong, 79, could be jailed for up to seven years and fined, or be given both, for the offences, his lawyer asked the judge for leniency given the tycoon's medical condition. Ong had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare type of bone marrow cancer. While Ong was accompanied by his lawyer in court this morning, his family wasn't present. "Mr. Ong's family has stood by him throughout this ordeal, and he did not wish to prolong the toll it has taken on them by having them present in court today,' a spokesperson for the Malaysian-born tycoon said. Ong, who is currently out on bail, is expected to be handed down his sentence on August 15. He stepped down as managing director of Hotel Properties in April. With a combined net worth of $1.7 billion, Ong and his wife Christina are among the wealthiest in Singapore. Their Hotel Properties has a portfolio of assets across 15 countries including the Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore and resorts in the Maldives. The developer said last month it's in talks with potential partners to redevelop three of its adjoining prime properties on Orchard Road, Singapore's main shopping strip.
