Ong Beng Seng is accused of giving high-impress gifts to ex-minister S. Iswaran, who on Thursday change into the vital stale cupboard member to be given a prison sentence in Singapore
Reuters
04 October, 2024, 07:10 pm
Final modified: 04 October, 2024, 07:13 pm
A Singapore court docket charged a property billionaire on Friday with obstructing justice and abetting offences, over flights and luxurious resort accommodation given to a disgraced ex-transport minister sentenced to prison the day earlier than these days in a significant corruption case.
Ong Beng Seng, the 78-year-extinct proprietor of Lodge Properties Ltd and rights holder to the Singapore Mountainous Prix Formulation One lag, is accused of giving high-impress gifts to ex-minister S. Iswaran, who on Thursday change into the vital stale cupboard member to be given a prison sentence in Singapore.
The case has been the self-discipline of predominant intrigue in Singapore, a rich monetary hub that gives ministers salaries of bigger than S$1 million dollars ($771,247) to discourage graft and prides itself on its recognition for clear governance.
Iswaran used to be sentenced to one year in prison for obstructing justice and improperly receiving gifts as a public servant, with Ong a central portion of the prosecution’s case.
Ong, a Malaysian citizen essentially based in Singapore, has in the past issued no comment on the accusations. Channel NewsAsia said he entered no plea on Friday and did not expose how he would plead.
Ong’s firm, Singapore-listed Lodge Properties Ltd, requested a shopping and selling cease early on Friday following Thursday’s announcement that he would be charged.
Prosecutors all the very best draw thru Iswaran’s trial said the ex-minister purchased gifts from Ong price bigger than $300,000, including tickets to English Premier League soccer fits, the F1 Mountainous Prix, London musicals and a trudge on a non-public jet to Doha.
Ong used to be charged with one count of abetting Iswaran’s receiving of two flights and luxurious resort accommodation in Doha price S$20,848.03, and one count of abetting Iswaran in obstruction of justice, said the prison legit-unusual’s chambers.
The costs correspond to 2 of Iswaran’s 35 prices.
The prison legit-unusual’s chambers said the prosecution will not fee Ong for his involvement in other prices towards Iswaran. It said it used to be unable to comment additional as the topic is earlier than the court docket.
The court docket all the very best draw thru Iswaran’s trial heard how the minister had requested Ong to bill him for the Doha outing on the deepest jet after he stumbled on the anti-graft company had seized the flight manifest for an unrelated case.
Justice Vincent Hoong, who presided over Iswaran’s case, on Thursday said the minister’s question to be billed used to be a deliberate switch to hinder the route of justice and rob a leer at to evade investigation.
Channel NewsAsia said Ong’s court docket listening to used to be adjourned till pre-trial complaints on Nov. 15.
The prison legit-unusual’s chambers said this will well not fee Lum Kok Seng, another businessman named in Iswaran’s prices as having given gifts to the stale minister.
