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Two individuals close to Ong confirmed his diagnosis, with one specifying that he has multiple myeloma—a rare bone marrow cancer characterized by the abnormal proliferation of malignant plasma cells, Channel News Asia reported.
The 79-year-old businessman has been undergoing chemotherapy and previously sought court permission to travel overseas for further medical treatment, sources said.
According to The Business Times, Ong's lawyers told the court on Feb. 7 they would "review (their) position" as he continues cancer treatment. When asked whether this meant Ong was considering a guilty plea, a representative for him declined to comment.
A Malaysian national based in Singapore, Ong was charged on Oct. 4, 2023, with two offenses related to Iswaran's case: one for abetting an offense under Section 165 of the Penal Code and another for abetting obstruction of justice, according to the AFP.
Prosecutors allege Ong helped Iswaran secure an all-expenses-paid trip to Doha worth about S$20,850 (US$15,500) in December 2022. He is also accused of facilitating obstruction of justice by reimbursing S$5,700 for Iswaran's business class flight from Doha to Singapore in May 2023 during a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau probe.
These charges mirror two offenses for which Iswaran has already pleaded guilty. The former minister was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Oct. 3, 2023, began serving his sentence four days later, and was placed under home detention on Feb. 7.
Ong's case remains at the pre-trial conference stage, with no clear indication of whether he will plead guilty or contest the charges.
Following his indictment, Ong requested permission to travel to London and the U.S. for medical treatment. While details of his condition were not disclosed in court at the time, his request was granted on Oct. 30.
If convicted of abetting Iswaran, Ong faces up to two years in jail, a fine, or both. The obstruction of justice charge carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both.
In addition to his prominence in the hospitality industry, Ong is known for bringing Formula 1 racing to Singapore in 2008.
