{"loaderData":{"0-25":{"context":{"type":0,"statusCode":200,"cacheControlMaxAge":60,"regenerateInterval":180,"payload":{"pageType":"live-blog-landing-page","results":[{"title":"","url":"","description":"","type":"live-coverage","refCode":"live:-ong-beng-seng-sentencing","cards":[],"liveBlogData":{"htmlData":"

\r\n

Recap: Judge imposes maximum fine on Ong Beng Seng for abetting the obstruction of justice

\r\n\r\n

The tycoon would have been sentenced to 3 months’ jail if not for his medical condition, the judge said.

\r\n\r\n

Anjali Raguraman, Fatimah Mujibah, Vanessa Paige Chelvan, Andrew Wong, Samuel Devaraj, Zhaki Abdullah

\r\n\r\n

Published: Aug 15, 2025

\r\n

\r\n","liveBlogId":"2170","isLiveBlog":true,"isMultidayLiveblog":false,"multidayLiveBlogMapping":[]}}],"uniqueName":"live-singapore-ong-beng-seng-iswaran-case-sentencing","infiniteScroll":{"additionalStories":[]},"advertisements":[{"type":"lb1","page":"liveblog","slot":"/5908/st/lb1/liveblog","id":"dfp-ad-lb1"},{"type":"catfish","page":"liveblog","slot":"/5908/st/catfish/liveblog","id":"dfp-ad-catfish"},{"type":"prestitial","page":"liveblog","slot":"/5908/st/prestitial/liveblog","id":"dfp-ad-prestitial"}],"metaData":{"title":"Recap: Judge imposes maximum fine on Ong Beng Seng for abetting the obstruction of justice","ogTitle":"Recap: Judge imposes maximum fine on Ong Beng Seng for abetting the obstruction of justice","twitterTitle":"Recap: Judge imposes maximum fine on Ong Beng Seng for abetting the obstruction of justice","slug":"live-singapore-ong-beng-seng-iswaran-case-sentencing","description":"He would have been sentenced to 3 months’ jail if not for his medical condition, the judge said. Read more at straitstimes.com.","ogDescription":"He would have been sentenced to 3 months’ jail if not for his medical condition, the judge said. Get the latest updates.","jsonLd":"{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-singapore-ong-beng-seng-iswaran-case-sentencing\",\"headline\":\"Live: Ong Beng Seng sentencing\",\"description\":\"He pleaded guilty to one charge of abetment of obstruction of justice; both defence and prosecution agreed that judicial mercy is warranted.\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2025-08-15T07:30:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2025-08-15T23:30:00+08:00\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/assets\\/ST-logo-default-aoeSLh4S.png\",\"width\":\"1228\",\"height\":\"96\"}},\"liveBlogUpdate\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong leaves State Courts building without speaking to the media\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T15:26:14+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T18:19:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong is seen leaving the court at 3.25pm, surrounded by members of his entourage, without speaking to the media. He is seen entering a car.ST PHOTOS: BRIAN TEO, JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"ICYMI: Ong fined $30,000 as judge cites judicial mercy in sentencing\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T15:49:30+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:55:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Billionaire Ong Beng Seng was handed the maximum fine of $30,000 for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.Owing to Ong\\u2019s incurable cancer \\u2013 which doctors testified would make imprisonment life-threatening \\u2013 he was granted judicial mercy. The judge said humanitarian conditions ought to prevail in this case.The judge was considering a three-month jail term for Ong if not for his ill health. Mr Iswaran received a four-month term for the corresponding charge, which has since been served.READ MORE HEREThanks for following our live coverage. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"anjalir\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Judge Lee accords high weight to 2 doctors who treated Ong\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T15:02:58+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:47:57+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Judge Lee, in her sentencing, says she accords \\u201chigh weight\\u201d to the two doctors who have treated Ong since his multiple myeloma diagnosis.She explains that judicial mercy has been exercised in only two situations \\u2013 where the offender was suffering from terminal illness, and where the offender was so ill that imprisonment would endanger his life.She adds that each case stands on its own facts.For this particular case, Judge Lee says the issue lies in whether a jail term would carry a high risk of endangering his life, and if the risk would be significantly enhanced.She says undisputed medical evidence shows that a jail term for Ong would carry high risks.ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Judge Lee agrees that a jail term carries high risks for Ong\\u2019s health\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:43:42+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:35:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Judge Lee, in delivering her decision, says a just and humane society is characterised by its ability to temper justice with mercy.She goes on to say that judicial mercy tempers the imposition of punishment in the light of humanitarian concerns.The central question for this case lies in whether judicial mercy is warranted, she adds.She says it is clear that Ong suffers from multiple myeloma, and agrees with both the defence and prosecution\\u2019s earlier views that imprisonment would carry high and increased risk of endangering his life.\\u201cI therefore agree with defence and prosecution that exercise of judicial mercy is warranted, and I impose a fine of $30,000 rather than jail,\\u201d she says. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Why imprisonment would be risky for Ong\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T15:09:31+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:32:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Judge Lee says the medical evidence shows that Ong\\u2019s life would be at risk if he was imprisoned, given his ill health.She cites the higher risks of infection and falls in prison.The risk of infection would rise significantly due to the rotating shifts of prison staff, increasing his exposure to pathogens, she says.The court heard on Aug 4 that Ong\\u2019s cancer compromised his spine, and a metal rod has been inserted in it.The presence of permanent foreign bodies in Ong\\u2019s spine \\u201cposes significant and ongoing risk\\u201d if he were to be exposed to pathogens, Judge Lee says.She notes that the risk of infection is also exacerbated by a non-healing toe wound on his right foot that places him at risk of infection and gangrene.Judge Lee also adds that while the Singapore Prison Service has an adequate system, \\u201cthis does not address the enhanced risk of potential falls\\u201d.Ong is susceptible to falls due to extensive damage to his skeletal system, and any fall could seriously impact his health.\\u201cThe critical question is not whether an offender will receive a lower standard of care in prison, but whether prison would create a higher risk to his life,\\u201d Judge Lee says.She adds that the court\\u2019s focus is on comparing the risk the offender currently faces with the risk he would face in prison.\\u201cI\\u2019m satisfied that the circumstances in this case are exceptional, and meet the high threshold for judicial mercy,\\u201d Judge Lee says.ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vpchelvan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong gives thumbs-up sign to lawyer\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T15:11:53+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:14:54+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong is seen giving one of his lawyers a thumbs-up sign after court was adjourned.Still masked and seated in the dock, he is seen talking to members of his team and a police officer while waiting to exit the courtroom.He is also seen signing what appears to be a chequebook.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"High threshold for judicial mercy met, says judge\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T15:03:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:10:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Humanitarian conditions ought to prevail in this case, says Judge Lee.\\u201cI\\u2019m satisfied the circumstances in this case are exceptional, and meet the high threshold for judicial mercy,\\u201d she notes.\\u201cEven so, the court must ultimately consider if the humanitarian concerns ought to outweigh punishments in crime.\\u201dShe notes that Ong\\u2019s offences are \\u201cundoubtedly serious\\u201d and severely damage the trust in and integrity of public institutions.But while Ong\\u2019s offences warrant condemnation, the CPIB was not impeded in investigations. Additionally, Ong made sure to have proper records of Mr Iswaran\\u2019s request for payment five months later, and did not backdate it. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"anjalir\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"HPL\\u2019s shares rebound after verdict\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:56:00+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:08:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Shares of Ong\\u2019s Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) opened at $5.50 on Aug 15 and fell 0.7 per cent to $5.46 before midday.At 2.43pm \\u2013 soon after the verdict was announced \\u2013 HPL\\u2019s shares rebounded to $5.52.HPL\\u2019s shares have been trending upwards since the start of 2025. On Aug 4, after Ong pleaded guilty, shares closed 0.7 per cent higher at $5.50.In its latest financial statement released on Aug 14, HPL posted a revenue of $378.4 million for the half-year ended June 30, 9 per cent up from $347.3 million in the first half of 2024.Gross profit also increased from $82.3 million for the first half of 2024 to $85.2 million for the first half of 2025. The jump was driven mainly by the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka in August 2024.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong\\u2019s 'exemplary contributions' to society are not a mitigating factor: Judge\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:52:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:05:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The inquiry is focused on the blameworthiness of Ong\\u2019s offence, Judge Lee says, adding that it is not the role of the sentencing court to pass judgment on moral worth.\\u201cThis is not a broad inquiry into the way the accused has lived his life,\\u201d she says, adding that there would be \\u201cserious issues of fairness\\u201d if that were taken into account.Ong\\u2019s exemplary contributions \\u201care a neutral factor in this case\\u201d, she says.\\u201cThey are not mitigating and provide no basis for any reduction in sentence.\\u201dJudge Lee notes that acts of social contributions are not equal across social strata. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"anjalir\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong would have been sentenced to 3 months\\u2019 jail if not for his medical condition: Judge\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:52:54+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T15:00:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Prosecutors said on Aug 4, when Ong pleaded guilty, that eight weeks\\u2019 imprisonment would ordinarily be warranted in such a case.In her sentencing on Aug 15, Judge Lee says she would have considered a sentence of three months\\u2019 imprisonment if not for Ong\\u2019s medical condition.Former transport minister S. Iswaran was handed a 12-month jail term on Oct 3, 2024. This term included four months\\u2019 jail for obstructing the course of justice by making payment to Singapore GP to cover the cost of the flight from Singapore to Doha.Judge Lee notes Ong\\u2019s \\u201clower culpability\\u201d, as it was Iswaran who had asked Ong to bill him for the Doha trip.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vpchelvan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong Beng Seng arrives at court\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:03:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T14:43:36+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong Beng Seng, 79, arrives at the State Courts at 2.03pm, flanked by his lawyers.His sentencing hearing is set to begin at 2.30pm. Ong, wearing a white shirt and a mask, does not respond to questions from the media.ST PHOTOS: BRIAN TEO, JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vpchelvan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Judge imposes maximum fine of $30,000 rather than jail\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:28:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T14:35:47+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong is sentenced to a fine of $30,000 for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng says she agrees with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy is warranted in Ong's case.Ong looks at the judge and does not react when she says judicial mercy is warranted.The property tycoon pleaded guilty on Aug 4.Those convicted of abetment of obstruction of justice can be jailed for up to seven years, fined or both. Under the Criminal Procedure Code, the District Court can impose a maximum fine of $30,000 for the offence.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vpchelvan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong waits in the criminal dock\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:19:15+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T14:22:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong, still masked, sits in the criminal dock. The courtroom appears to be about 70 per cent full, as members of the public file in. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vpchelvan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The case for judicial mercy, and what happens if it is granted\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T13:40:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T14:01:36+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Both the defence and the prosecution have agreed that a fine in lieu of jail would be appropriate due to the severity of Ong\\u2019s medical conditions.Ong\\u2019s lawyers had urged the court to exercise judicial mercy, saying that prison time would expose him to life-threatening risks.The prosecution did not object to this, noting that even if the court did not exercise judicial mercy, there was basis for it to consider Ong\\u2019s ill health as a mitigating factor for a lighter sentence.Judicial mercy refers to the discretionary power of Singapore\\u2019s courts to impose a more lenient sentence because of exceptional mitigating circumstances.If the court decides to exercise judicial mercy, its central consideration will not be Ong\\u2019s culpability.Instead, his sentence will be based on humanitarian considerations. This means that the court will prioritise Ong\\u2019s well-being in deciding an appropriate sentence.Previous cases in which judicial mercy was invoked saw no imprisonment, a nominal period of imprisonment, or the statutory minimum.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vpchelvan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"No sight of Ong as the media awaits his arrival outside court\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T13:54:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T14:01:04+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ahead of Ong\\u2019s arrival at court, a smattering of media representatives are gathered around the drop-off point.With about 40 minutes to go till the hearing starts, there is a slight drizzle. ST PHOTOS: ZHAKI ABDULLAH, BRIAN TEO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"anjalir\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Who is Ong Beng Seng?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T14:00:04+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T14:00:04+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong Beng Seng was born in 1946 into a wealthy family in Sabah, Malaysia. They moved to Singapore when he was four years old.He studied at Anglo-Chinese School and later obtained a degree in insurance in Britain.He went on to work in international insurance underwriting and broking in Europe, London and South-east Asia.Ong married Ms Christina Fu, a prominent businesswoman, in 1972. Three years later, he joined Kuo International, an oil trading company owned by his father-in-law Peter Fu.There, he made millions, and that money is said to have helped finance his later investments and property developments.Ong formed Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) in 1980 and acquired a number of hotels and properties in prime locations such as Orchard Road. The company was listed in Singapore in 1982.As at Dec 31, 2024, HPL\\u2019s hotel division had a portfolio of 41 hotels across 17 countries.Ong, a keen motor sports enthusiast, is known as the man who brought Formula One to Singapore in 2008. He owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix.READ MORE: Who is Ong Beng Seng, the tycoon caught up in CPIB\\u2019s probe involving Iswaran?\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong\\u2019s health issues\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T13:23:44+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T13:23:44+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong\\u2019s lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, told the court on Aug 4 that Ong suffers from a \\u201cdevastating cocktail of medical problems\\u201d, noting that a fall could lead to his death.Ong was diagnosed in 2020 with advanced multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects white blood cells, which are crucial to the body\\u2019s immune response.SC Bull said the cancer compromised Ong\\u2019s spine, and a metal rod had been inserted in it. If infected, the result would be catastrophic, he added.While showing a radiology photo to Judge Lee, SC Bull said the cancer had hollowed out Ong\\u2019s spinal vertebrae.This means that the strength of Ong\\u2019s spine has been so compromised that any fall or injury could result in permanent disability or life-threatening injury.SC Bull added that as a result of his cancer medication, Ong suffers from \\u201cintractable and relentless\\u201d diarrhoea, which puts him at risk of hypotension and acute kidney injury.Ong also has peripheral vascular disease of both feet, with a non-healing toe wound that places him at risk of infection and gangrene.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence says Ong \\u2018simply complied\\u2019 with Iswaran\\u2019s request\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T13:04:40+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T13:19:53+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ong \\u201csimply complied\\u201d with Iswaran\\u2019s request to have Singapore GP bill him for a trip to Doha on Ong\\u2019s private jet, as well as a business-class flight back to Singapore, said his defence.Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull added that there was no deliberation or premeditation on Ong\\u2019s part.He said: \\u201c(Ong) did not come up with a plan, he was not the initiator of the steps, he did not make payment. Instead, he received the request from the minister to (issue) the invoice, and he simply complied.\\u201cIswaran was the \\u2018prime mover\\u2019 \\u2013 he initiated and came up with the idea and executed it.\\u201dOng\\u2019s defence also played down the severity of Ong\\u2019s offences, saying that the \\u201clevel of harm (was) extremely low\\u201d.SC Bull said there was no adverse impact on the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau\\u2019s (CPIB) investigations, and the authorities were not thrown off the trail, given that proper records were kept and no documents were backdated or doctored. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"anjalir\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What will happen today? \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T12:20:20+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T13:10:03+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At the start of the hearing, Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng may ask both sides for clarifications, although this is unlikely. She is instead likely to dive straight into reading out the judgment \\u2013 her reasons for arriving at Ong\\u2019s sentence over abetting the obstruction of justice.With the final sentence hinging upon the imposition of judicial mercy, expect Judge Lee to delve into the details of why she agrees or disagrees with the call made by both the prosecution and the defence.The answer to the question on everyone\\u2019s minds \\u2013 whether Ong will get a jail term or a fine \\u2013 could be hinted at, as the judge takes the prosecution and defence through her reasoning.If Ong is sentenced to jail, the defence could apply to defer the sentence. It could be known only at a later date whether either side wants to appeal against the sentence. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"audreyt\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What is the prosecution\\u2019s argument?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T12:44:30+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T12:44:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Those convicted of abetment of obstruction of justice can be jailed for up to seven years, fined or both. Under the Criminal Procedure Code, the District Court can impose a maximum fine of $30,000 for the offence.At the hearing on Aug 4, the prosecution acknowledged that in Ong\\u2019s case, an eight-week imprisonment term would ordinarily be warranted.The prosecution had argued that Ong\\u2019s abetment was \\u201cserious\\u201d, as it could have impeded CPIB\\u2019s investigation.But Ong\\u2019s incurable medical conditions do not make the jail term ideal.The prosecution team added that judicial mercy should be exercised due to the severity of Ong\\u2019s medical condition, and that it did not object to a fine.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Ong Beng Seng set to be sentenced later today\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-15T12:01:29+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-15T12:13:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng will be sentenced later today at 2.30pm, after he pleaded guilty earlier on Aug 4 to abetting the obstruction of justice in a case related to former minister S. Iswaran.In December 2022, Ong had asked Mr Iswaran to join him on a trip to Doha, Qatar, on his private jet, with all expenses paid for, including hotel accommodation. The latter did not declare to the Singapore Government that he had accepted the offer.In May 2023, Ong received information that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had gotten hold of the flight manifest containing details of the Doha trip.Ong told Mr Iswaran about this, which led to Mr Iswaran issuing a cheque to the Singapore GP for the trip \\u2013 which the prosecution said had a tendency to obstruct the course of justice, as it made it less likely that he would be investigated by CPIB in relation to the Doha trip.The prosecution said Ong also knew that Mr Iswaran\\u2019s act of making payment for the flight from Doha to Singapore was likely to obstruct the course of justice.Both the defence and prosecution agreed at the hearing on Aug 4 that there is basis for the court to exercise judicial mercy in this case, given Ong\\u2019s advanced multiple myeloma. PHOTO: ST FILE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}}]}","keywords":"Ong Beng Seng, plead guilty, judicial mercy, sentence, Iswaran, Iswaran trial, Iswaran case, transport minister, court, Davinder Singh, CPIB, Singapore Grand Prix, Formula One, F1, STB, Section 165","robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","image":"https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2025/08/15/aiong140825.jpg"},"gaData":{"level2":"23","chapter1":"","chapter2":"","title":"Live:_Ong_Beng_Seng_sentencing","title_ga":"Live: Ong Beng Seng sentencing","pagination":"1","contenttype":"live blog"}},"dependentPaths":[]}}},"actionData":null,"errors":null}