Billionaire tycoon Ong Beng Seng gets to keep S'pore PR status, receives warning letter

Billionaire Ong Beng Seng will not get his permanent resident (PR) status in Singapore revoked following a review, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Nov. 10.

He has been issued a letter of warning to put him on notice that any future adverse conduct will render him liable for revocation of his PR status, the ICA said in response to Mothership's queries.

ICA said previously in August in a statement that all Singapore permanent residents who have been convicted of an offence will have their PR status reviewed.

Ong, a Malaysian citizen, was fined S$30,000 on Aug. 15.

What Ong did

He pleaded guilty to one charge of abetting the obstruction of justice after he admitted to arranging to belatedly bill former transport minister S. Iswaran S$5,700 for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore.

The bill, for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore, was sent to Singapore GP Pte Ltd.

This was after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating a separate matter relating to Ong’s associates and came across the flight manifest.

Ong’s other charge was for abetting Iswaran, a public servant at the time, in obtaining gifts.

This charge was taken into consideration for sentencing.

Ong was eventually not jailed as the judge had agreed with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be applied owing to Ong's ill health.

He was diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma in 2020.

Reviewing of PR status issue

Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said in September 2025, in response to Hougang MP Dennis Tan's parliamentary question, that foreigners may have their passes or permits cancelled and be prohibited from re-entry into Singapore.

This occurs in the event they break the law or engage in undesirable conduct and it also applies to PRs and work pass holders.

Ong's background

Ong, born in Malaysia in 1946, came to Singapore when he was four years old.

He made his millions by predicting the ups and downs of oil prices after he joined Kuo International, an oil trading company owned by his father-in-law, Peter Fu, in 1975.

He had married Christina Fu, a prominent businesswoman, in 1972.

Ong's fortunes grew as the money he made was said to have gone into investments and property developments.

In 1980, Ong set up Hotel Properties Limited and acquired hotels and properties around the world, including in Singapore.

Formula 1 racing in Singapore was his brainchild.

Top image via Mothership