Billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was fined SGD 30,000 by a Singapore district court on August 15 after pleading guilty to abetting obstruction of justice in a high-profile case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.
The court imposed the maximum fine allowable under its jurisdiction, taking into account Ong’s severe health condition, including a diagnosis of advanced multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of plasma cells.
The sentencing, which lasted around 30 minutes, took place in a packed courtroom as Ong arrived flanked by his legal and security teams.
While the court recognised the seriousness of the offence, the judge exercised judicial mercy, noting that imprisonment would pose a significant and increased risk to Ong’s life due to his condition, which has caused damage to his skeletal system.
Ong’s conduct, which involved actions likely to obstruct the course of justice, was deemed serious, and a second charge related to abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts was taken into consideration during sentencing.
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In the absence of medical complications, the court indicated that a custodial sentence of up to three months would have been appropriate.
The prosecution, while initially stating that an eight-week jail term would have been warranted, did not oppose the imposition of a fine considering Ong’s health.
After the hearing, Ong was seen signing documents before exiting the courthouse without addressing the media.
Under Singapore law, abetment of obstruction of justice carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail, a fine, or both.
