Billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng pleaded guilty on 4 Aug 2025 to abetting the obstruction of justice in a case connected to former Transport Minister S Iswaran. The 79-year-old property tycoon will be sentenced on 15 Aug 2025.
His bail of S$800,000 has been extended until sentencing.
Prosecution Seeks Judicial Mercy Due to Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
The prosecution acknowledged that eight weeks’ imprisonment would ordinarily be appropriate for Ong’s offence. However, they accepted grounds for judicial mercy due to his severe medical conditions.
Ong suffers from advanced multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer affecting white blood cells crucial to immune response. He was diagnosed with this condition in 2020.
Medical reports submitted to court show the cancer has damaged his skeletal system and severely compromised his immune system. This makes him vulnerable to life-threatening infections.
The prosecution stated that imprisonment would result in an increased risk of endangering his life. They do not object to imposing the maximum fine of S$30,000 as an alternative sentence should the court exercise judicial mercy.
Ong’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, described Ong as suffering from a “devastating cocktail of medical problems”. He cited a Harvard medical school professor who called Ong’s case one of the most complex and high-risk multiple myeloma cases.
The defence highlighted that Ong’s spine strength was severely compromised, requiring a metal rod insertion. His hands and legs are functionally paralysed. Any fall or injury could result in permanent disability or life-threatening consequences.
Bull showed radiology photos to Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng, demonstrating how the cancer had hollowed out Ong’s spinal vertebrae. The defence noted that while Ong’s medical team might react quickly to his condition outside prison, this might not be possible within prison walls.
Ong also suffers from peripheral vascular disease of both feet, with a non-healing toe wound placing him at risk of infection and gangrene. His cancer medication causes “intractable and relentless” diarrhoea, creating risks of hypotension and possible acute kidney injury.
Details of Qatar Trip and Delayed Payment Scheme
The court heard how Ong invited Iswaran to join him on a trip to Qatar in December 2022. Ong told the former minister he would be his guest, travelling on his private jet with all expenses covered.
On 10 Dec 2022, Iswaran travelled to Doha on Ong’s private jet. The flight was valued at around US$7,700 (~SGD10,410). Iswaran stayed one night at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, costing S$4,737.63.
Singapore GP paid for the hotel accommodation on Ong’s instructions. After one night in Doha, Iswaran returned to Singapore on a business-class flight valued at S$5,700, also paid for by Singapore GP.
Iswaran did not declare to the Government of Singapore that he had obtained the outbound flight, hotel accommodation, or return flight ticket from Ong.
In May 2023, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating a separate matter relating to Ong’s associates. They discovered the flight manifest of Ong’s private jet showing Iswaran’s participation in the Doha trip.
On 18 May 2023, Ong’s associates informed him that CPIB had seized the flight manifest. Ong immediately contacted Iswaran by phone to alert him about CPIB’s discovery.
Iswaran asked Ong to have Singapore GP bill him for the Doha trip, including the return flight. Ong agreed and instructed Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang to arrange the payment while keeping proper records.
On 24 May 2023, Mok emailed Iswaran’s personal assistant with an invoice for the flight from Doha to Singapore. Iswaran then issued a cheque for S$5,700 to Singapore GP.
The prosecution argued this delayed payment had a tendency to obstruct justice by making it less likely that Iswaran would be investigated by CPIB regarding the Doha trip. Ong knew that Iswaran’s delayed payment was likely to obstruct the course of justice.
The prosecution noted aggravating factors including the serious nature of investigations that were obstructed and Ong’s role in facilitating Iswaran by alerting him to the investigations.
Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on 3 Oct 2024 after pleading guilty to five charges, including four counts of obtaining valuable items as a public servant.
The defence highlighted Ong’s contributions to Singapore, including bringing Formula One Grand Prix to the country and establishing Singapore as “the crown jewel of the F1 circuit”. Bull also noted Ong’s humanitarian efforts during Covid-19, working with Temasek Holdings to supply masks to countries including Indonesia and Nepal.
Those convicted of abetment of obstruction of justice can face up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. The District Court can impose a maximum fine of S$30,000 for this offence.
Judicial mercy refers to Singapore courts’ discretionary power to impose more lenient sentences due to exceptional mitigating circumstances. It has a high threshold and has been exercised in cases involving terminal illness or where imprisonment poses significant risk to the offender’s life.
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