Resort tycoon Ong Beng Seng (C) leaves the State Courtroom in Singapore on August 4, 2025.
AFP by way of Getty Photos
Resort tycoon Ong Beng Seng has been spared a jail sentence after pleading responsible to abetting a senior Singapore politician in obstructing the course of justice in a uncommon gifting scandal within the city-state recognized for its squeaky clear picture.
The previous managing director of Singapore-listed Resort Properties was fined S$30,000 ($23,400) for the offence by a decide who cited Ong’s extreme medical situation and “judicial mercy” in granting him a reprieve from a jail time period. The businessman had been identified with a number of myeloma, a uncommon sort of bone marrow cancer.
“I discover that the humanitarian issues supporting the train of judicial mercy must prevail on this case,” District Choose Lee Lit Cheng mentioned in courtroom Friday. “The medical proof unequivocally reveals {that a} custodial sentence would place the accused’s life at substantial threat.”
Ong, 79, may have been jailed as much as seven years for the offence along with the effective. Final week, the Malaysian-born tycoon—who holds the franchise for the Method One Singapore grand prix—pleaded guilty to abetting former Transport Minister S. Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice, whereas one other cost was considered.
The costs are associated to flights and a lodge keep in Doha that Iswaran had obtained from Ong throughout the FIFA World Cup event in December 2022 when the ex-lawmaker headed the Singapore Method One night time race steering committee. Iswaran was imprisoned in October final 12 months however was allowed to spend the remainder of his 12-month jail sentence at house from February.
With a mixed web value of $1.7 billion, Ong and his spouse Christina are among the many wealthiest in Singapore. The couple personal substantial stakes in Resort Properties, which has a portfolio of property throughout 15 nations together with the 4 Seasons Resort in Singapore and resorts within the Maldives, in addition to in British purse maker Mulberry Group.
Ong stepped down as managing director of Resort Properties in April. The developer mentioned final month it is in talks with potential companions to redevelop three of its adjoining prime properties on Orchard Highway, Singapore’s primary buying strip.
