- Ong Beng Seng granted permission to leave Singapore with additional bail conditions.
- Ong’s total bail amount increased to S$1.6 million.
- Court hearing took place on 30 October 2024 for travel approval.
A prominent Malaysian property tycoon faces legal troubles in Singapore but receives court approval for overseas travel.
Property Tycoon’s Legal Woes
According to Channel NewsAsia, Ong Beng Seng, a 78-year-old Malaysian property tycoon, appeared in a Singapore court on 30 October 2024.
The court granted Ong permission to leave Singapore for over a week.
This decision came with additional bail conditions.
Ong’s total bail amount now stands at S$1.6 million.
This includes an extra cash bail of S$800,000 on top of his existing bail.
Charges and Travel Plans
Ong faces charges under Section 165 and Section 204A of the Penal Code.
The former relates to encouraging a public servant in obtaining valuables.
The latter charge relates to obstructing justice.
The court allowed Ong to travel from 31 October to 9 November 2024.
His travel plans include visits to London, Boston, Gibraltar, and Spain.
| Travel Destination | Purpose |
|---|---|
| London | Medical Treatment |
| Boston | Medical Treatment |
| Gibraltar | Business |
| Spain | Business |
Court-Imposed Conditions
The court set specific conditions for Ong’s travel.
He must submit a travel itinerary to the investigating officer.
Ong must remain contactable at all times during his travels.
He must surrender his passport within 24 hours of returning to Singapore.
These conditions ensure Ong’s compliance with Singapore’s legal system.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
Ong’s lawyer, Mr Aaron Lee from Allen & Gledhill, expressed gratitude for the urgent hearing.
According to Channel NewsAsia, Mr Lee said, “(OBS is) very grateful for this urgent hearing.”
The charges against Ong include abetting the obstruction of justice.
This relates to facilitating a payment for Iswaran’s flight ticket.
The flight in question was a business class seat from Doha to Singapore on 11 December 2022.
Singapore GP allegedly paid for this ticket.
- Ong allegedly instructed Mok Chee Liang to bill the cost to Iswaran
- This action suggests knowledge of potential obstruction of justice
- The payment amount was about S$5,700
Next Steps in Legal Process
A pre-trial conference for Ong’s case is scheduled for 15 November 2024.
This conference will determine the next steps in the legal proceedings.
The prosecution sought and received approval for additional bail conditions.
These conditions aim to ensure Ong’s cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
The case highlights the complexities of financial transactions and legal compliance in Singapore’s business world.
Do you think the court made the right decision in allowing Ong Beng Seng to travel abroad despite the ongoing legal proceedings?
