Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng is expected to plead guilty in court on 3 July in connection with a corruption case involving former transport minister S Iswaran.
The update follows a pre-trial conference held on 10 June. Court records did not specify whether Ong would plead guilty to one or both charges.
Ong, 79, is currently on bail of S$800,000, which was extended during the recent court session.
The charges were brought against him in October 2024.
The first charge accuses Ong of abetting Iswaran in obtaining an all-expenses-paid trip to Doha in December 2022. The trip was valued at approximately S$20,850.
It included travel on Ong’s private jet, a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, and a return business class flight.
The second charge relates to events in May 2023.
Ong is accused of aiding the obstruction of justice by paying S$5,700 to Singapore GP for a flight ticket for Iswaran after investigations had begun.
Ong has been undergoing chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.
Due to his health, Ong previously sought permission to travel overseas for medical purposes.
His initial plea hearing was scheduled for 2 April but was delayed to allow him more time to secure comprehensive medical reports.
Ong is the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL).
In an earlier announcement to the Singapore Exchange, HPL stated that Ong would plead guilty to the charge of obstructing justice.
The other charge would be taken into consideration during sentencing.
The company also said Ong remained suitable to perform his role as managing director.
Former minister Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in October 2024.
He was placed on home detention from 7 February and completed the sentence on 6 June.
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