Ong Beng Seng set for another pre-trial conference on Jul 23

[SINGAPORE] Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng is set for another pre-trial conference on Jul 23, with parties having been asked to file revised papers.

This was after a pre-trial conference on Tuesday (Jul 8).

The billionaire was previously set to plead guilty to two charges on Jul 3. But one day before that, his court hearing was rescheduled to Tuesday’s pre-trial conference.

Usually held in chambers, a pre-trial conference is a meeting between the court and the parties involved in a case to deal with administrative matters. The parties may also schedule future court dates. It does not mean the case will necessarily proceed to trial.

Iswaran entanglement

Ong, former managing director of Hotel Properties Ltd, is widely known for bringing the Formula 1 night race to Singapore in 2008, and owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix.

He faces two charges: one of abetting offences under Section 165 of the Penal Code – which forbids public servants from accepting gifts from people involved with them in an official capacity – and another of abetting the obstruction of justice.

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Both are in relation to former transport minister S Iswaran, who was handed a 12-month jail sentence last October. The Singapore Prison Service said last month that Iswaran is no longer under prison custody.

The first charge, for abetting an offence under Section 165, relates to flights and a stay.

Ong allegedly offered Iswaran a flight from Singapore to Doha on a private jet, worth US$7,700; a one-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Doha worth S$4,737.63, through race promoter Singapore GP; and a business class flight from Doha to Singapore, worth S$5,700.

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Ong Beng Seng’s case back to Jul 8 pre-trial conference; previously meant to plead guilty on Jul 3

The second charge was for allegedly instructing Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang, in May 2023, to bill Iswaran for the flight from Doha to Singapore – an action that would have obstructed the course of justice.

Those found guilty of offences under Section 165 can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. Abetting an offence would result in the same punishment, if the offence is committed as a consequence of the abetment.