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Malaysian tycoon’s guilty plea delayed in case linked to Singapore ex-minister Iswaran | Scoop
Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng, was charged with abetment of a public servant in receiving valuables and obstruction of justice in a Singaporean court. - Youtube Screengrab, March 26, 2025
News

Malaysian tycoon’s guilty plea delayed in case linked to Singapore ex-minister Iswaran

Ong Beng Seng was due to plead guilty on April 2 but sought more time for medical reports, next hearing set for April 25

Scoop Reporters
Updated
12:09 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian property tycoon Ong Beng Seng’s court hearing to plead guilty has been postponed following a pre-trial conference on March 26, where he requested additional time to obtain detailed medical reports.

Ong, who has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, was originally scheduled to plead guilty on April 2. He faces charges linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran, who was convicted of receiving valuable items as a public servant and obstructing justice, according to CNA.

A spokesperson for Ong stated: “Mr Ong has requested more time to obtain more detailed reports from his doctors on his medical condition, and the ongoing monitoring and treatment required. This will ensure that all relevant information can be presented to, and appropriately considered by, the prosecution and the court.”

His next pre-trial conference is set for April 25.

Charges against Ong

Ong, widely credited with bringing Formula 1 to Singapore in 2008, was charged in October 2024 with two offences, which mirror those that Iswaran pleaded guilty to in September last year.

He is accused of abetting Iswaran in receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Doha in December 2022, valued at approximately S$20,850 (RM69,000). The trip allegedly included a private flight from Singapore to Doha, a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, and a business-class flight back to Singapore.

The second charge pertains to obstruction of justice, alleging that in May 2023, Ong facilitated the payment of S$5,700 (RM18,850) to Singapore GP for a business-class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) began its investigation.

Ong, who serves as the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), previously indicated in a Singapore Exchange (SGX) announcement that he intends to plead guilty to obstructing justice while agreeing to have the other charge taken into consideration for sentencing.

HPL also affirmed that Ong “continues to be suitable to carry out his duties and responsibilities as managing director.”

Iswaran’s conviction

Iswaran, 62, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in October last year, though he has since been moved to home detention. He faced a total of 35 charges, the majority of which were linked to Ong.

Court documents indicate that Ong allegedly informed Iswaran that CPIB had seized the flight manifest for the December 2022 trip, prompting Iswaran to request an invoice for the flight to avoid scrutiny.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has stated that no additional charges will be brought against Ong in relation to Iswaran’s case.

Under Singaporean law, the offence of abetting the obstruction of justice carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. – March 26, 2025

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