SINGAPORE:

The highly anticipated first pre-trial conference for renowned property tycoon Ong Beng Seng took place at the State Courts on Friday, November 15, following his recent court-approved overseas trip. At 78 years old, Ong's legal battles have captured the attention of the public, but he has yet to indicate how he plans to plead in relation to his charges.

This administrative session, held behind closed doors before District Judge Chee Min Ping, was not a venue for the accused to declare his intentions regarding a trial. Instead, it served as a procedural step in the legal process. As it stands, Ong faces two significant charges tied to former transport minister S Iswaran, who is currently serving a one-year prison sentence for related offenses.

The first charge involves allegations that Ong assisted Iswaran in securing an extravagant all-expenses-paid trip to Doha worth approximately S$20,850 (around US$15,500) in December 2022. Adding further depth to the case, Ong is also accused of helping Iswaran make a dubious payment of S$5,700 for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau began its inquiries into the matter in May 2023.

Ong had previously been granted permission to travel for medical treatment in London and Boston, as well as for various business commitments in Gibraltar and Spain. This allowance, determined by a court on October 30, came with strict bail conditions, including a hefty S$800,000 cash bail atop an existing bail sum provided by his sponsor. He was expected to return to Singapore by November 9.

Despite extensive inquiries by CNA to the Attorney-General's Chambers and other relevant parties, no comments were provided regarding whether Ong had surrendered his passport as legally required upon his return.

During the conference, critical orders were issued for the defense team to submit any written representations by November 29. Should the prosecution receive these documents, they are mandated to respond by December 20. Such representations typically outline the defense's arguments for a favorable resolution, which could lead to reduced charges or, in rare cases, a complete dismissal of the case.

A follow-up pre-trial conference is already scheduled for January 3, 2025, keeping the case in the public eye as it unfolds. If convicted of abetting Iswaran under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Ong faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison, while obstructing justice charges could result in a staggering seven-year sentence.

As curiosity builds around Ong's next moves, the question looms—will the tycoon make a plea, or will his long-awaited legal journey take unexpected turns? Stay tuned as this story develops!