Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran

Tycoon, 79, avoids time in jail as judge exercises judicial mercy due to his ill health

- Nadine Chua

Billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was fined $30,000 on Aug 15 for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.

Ong, 79, was handed the maximum fine the district court can impose after he had pleaded guilty on Aug 4.

When Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng delivered the sentence, Ong looked ahead and did not react. 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."

Judicial mercy is the discretionary power Singapore's courts have to give a more lenient sentence because of exceptional mitigating circumstances.

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. Ong's second charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Had Ong's medical condition been absent, the appropriate sentence would have been three months' jail, Judge Lee said.