KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng, sentenced for abetting obstruction of justice in a case linked to former Singaporean Transport Minister S. Iswaran, will retain his permanent resident (PR) status in the island country following a review by its Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
The ICA confirmed that Ong’s PR status will not be revoked but that he has been formally cautioned, according to Singaporean news portal Mothership.
Instead, the property tycoon has been issued a letter of warning that any future misconduct will render him liable for revocation, the authority added in a response to the online portal.
On Aug 16, an ICA spokesman told The Straits Times (ST) that Ong’s PR status would be reviewed.
Ong was fined the maximum amount of S$30,000 on Friday after he pleaded guilty to the charge on Aug 4.
A second charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts under Section 165 was taken into consideration for sentencing.
Principal district judge Lee Lit Cheng agreed with both the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be exercised in this case due to Ong’s ill health.
The property tycoon suffers from advanced multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer that has damaged his skeletal system and severely compromised his immune system, making him highly vulnerable to life-threatening infections.
He also suffers from other complications that further increase his risk of infection and place him at risk of gangrene.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
