Ong, who is Malaysian but based in Singapore, was handed two charges related to Iswaran on Oct 4 last year.
The first charge accuses him of abetting the former minister in obtaining an all-expenses paid trip to Doha worth about S$20,850 (US$15,500) in December 2022.
The other charge alleges that Ong abetted the obstruction of justice by intentionally aiding Iswaran in May 2023, when the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had begun its probe, by paying S$5,700 to Singapore GP for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore over the same trip.
These charges correspond to two offences for which Iswaran pleaded guilty. The former minister was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Oct 3 last year. He began his jail term four days later and was moved to home detention on Friday (Feb 7).
Ong's case remains at the pre-trial conference stage, with no indication of whether he will plead guilty or contest the charges. A pre-trial conference refers to an administrative hearing held in chambers.
Court records state that Ong had a pre-trial conference on Friday. This was adjourned to another pre-trial conference on Feb 28 with the defence to review its position.
Records also state that Ong has been given a reply to representations, and that his bail has been extended.
After he was charged, Ong applied to court for leave to visit London and the United States for medical treatment, although his condition was not specified in court. The application was granted on Oct 30.
If convicted of the charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code for abetting Iswaran in obtaining valuables, Ong could face a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.
If convicted of obstructing justice, the charge under Section 204A, Ong could face a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
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The first charge accuses him of abetting the former minister in obtaining an all-expenses paid trip to Doha worth about S$20,850 (US$15,500) in December 2022.
The other charge alleges that Ong abetted the obstruction of justice by intentionally aiding Iswaran in May 2023, when the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had begun its probe, by paying S$5,700 to Singapore GP for a business class flight ticket from Doha to Singapore over the same trip.
These charges correspond to two offences for which Iswaran pleaded guilty. The former minister was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Oct 3 last year. He began his jail term four days later and was moved to home detention on Friday (Feb 7).
Ong's case remains at the pre-trial conference stage, with no indication of whether he will plead guilty or contest the charges. A pre-trial conference refers to an administrative hearing held in chambers.
Court records state that Ong had a pre-trial conference on Friday. This was adjourned to another pre-trial conference on Feb 28 with the defence to review its position.
Records also state that Ong has been given a reply to representations, and that his bail has been extended.
After he was charged, Ong applied to court for leave to visit London and the United States for medical treatment, although his condition was not specified in court. The application was granted on Oct 30.
If convicted of the charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code for abetting Iswaran in obtaining valuables, Ong could face a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.
If convicted of obstructing justice, the charge under Section 204A, Ong could face a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
Continue reading...