Why Was Ong Beng Seng Fined Instead of Jailed? Key Points From the Case

Prosecution, defense agreed Ong should have been jailed if not for his ill health

- David Sun

Tycoon Ong Beng Seng would have been jailed for abetting the obstruction of justice in the case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran, were it not for his medical condition.

As Ong, 79, suffers from advanced multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, imprisonment would risk endangering his life.

So, on Aug 15, the court exercised judicial mercy and Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng handed him a fine of $30,000, which is the maximum the district court could impose for the offense.

Here are the key points of her judgment.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN JAILED

Ong had abetted the obstruction of justice by Mr. S. Iswaran in making payment of $5,700 for a business flight ticket for a Dec 11, 2022, flight from Doha to Singapore.

This was done after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had seized a flight manifest for Ong's private jet.

Judge Lee said this was undoubtedly serious.

Ong's other charge, which was taken into consideration for sentencing, was for abetting Mr. Iswaran, who was then a public servant, in obtaining gifts.

These included a flight on Ong's private plane from Singapore to Doha worth about $10,400, a one-night stay in Four Seasons Hotel Doha worth about $4,700, and the $5,700 business class flight from Doha to Singapore.

This offense also warranted condemnation, said Judge Lee, and ran the risk of damaging the trust and integrity of public institutions.

The prosecution and defense had agreed that were it not for Ong's ill health, he should have been jailed.