Billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, 79, fined S$30,000

Billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, 79, was fined S$30,000 for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.

Ong pleaded guilty on Aug 4 to one charge of abetment of obstruction of justice.

While this warrants a jail term of up to seven years, his terminal cancer is grounds for judicial mercy.

Both defence and prosecution agreed that judicial mercy is warranted.

This is the maximum fine that the State Courts can impose.

His sentencing took place on Aug. 15 in a packed courtroom filled with members of the public who showed up to listen to the sentencing verdict delivered by Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng.

Ong looked at the judge and did not react when the sentencing verdict was read.

Those convicted of abetment of obstruction of justice can be jailed for up to seven years, fined or both.

What judge said

Judge Lee said a just and humane society is characterised by its ability to temper justice with mercy, and that judicial mercy tempers the imposition of punishment in the light of humanitarian concerns.

She added that the question is whether judicial mercy is warranted in this case.

After a discount for pleading guilty rather than claiming trial, Judge Lee said the appropriate sentence for Ong is three months' jail.

She also said it is clear that Ong suffers from multiple myeloma, and agrees with both the defence and prosecution that jail time could endanger Ong's life.

“I therefore agree with defence and prosecution that exercise of judicial mercy is warranted, and I impose a fine of $30,000 rather than jail,” she said.

The judge said the main reason why Ong cannot be in jail was due to the risks that are significantly enhanced in prison, even if he was in the medical ward.

This was due to unavoidable interactions with staff from different shifts, which increases the risk of exposure to pathogen and infections, and there is a risk of a fall due to an unfamiliar environment.

Ong has advanced multiple myeloma

Ong was diagnosed in 2020 with advanced multiple myeloma.

The ailment is a cancer that affects white blood cells, which affects the body’s immune response.

Ong’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, told the court on Aug. 4 that a fall could lead to permanent disability, life-threatening injury, or death for Ong.

The cancer compromised Ong’s spine, his lawyer said.

A metal rod had been inserted in his spine, which has been hollowed out due to the cancer.

And if infected, it could lead to death.

Ong's cancer medication was also causing bouts of diarrhoea, which puts him at risk of hypotension and acute kidney injury.

Ong also has peripheral vascular disease of both feet.

A toe wound that has not been healing put him at risk of infection and gangrene.

Gives thumbs-up sign

Ong was seen giving a thumbs-up sign to one of his lawyers after court was adjourned.

He then spoke to members of his team and a police officer while waiting to exit the courtroom.

He was wearing his face mask at the time.

He was also seen signing what appears to be a chequebook.

Background

Former minister S Iswaran was investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) when his name surfaced incidentally during a separate probe involving the property tycoon.

The trial that followed eventually led to Iswaran serving a 12-month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to receiving gifts as a public servant.

Ong's charges

Ong faced two charges, with the first charge relating to him instigating Iswaran to join him on a trip to Doha in December 2022, valued at around S$20,000.

The trip included a private flight from Singapore to Doha, a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, and a business class return flight to Singapore.

The second charge concerned the abetment of obstruction of justice, where Ong aided Iswaran in making a delayed payment of S$5,700 to Singapore GP Pte Ltd for the business class ticket after Iswaran's name was discovered by the CPIB.

The first charge of instigating Iswaran to obtain flights and a hotel stay from Ong, under Section 165 of the Penal Code, was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Top photo by Azrizal Abu Che/ Mothership