A prominent billionaire hotelier, Ong Beng Seng, has made headlines in Singapore after pleading guilty to a charge in an unusual corruption scandal that emerged last year. He was accused of providing lavish gifts, including Formula 1 Grand Prix tickets and a trip on a private jet, to Subramaniam Iswaran, the country’s ex-transportation minister.
On Monday, Mr. Ong admitted to abetting the obstruction of justice by facilitating Iswaran's payment for a business class ticket from Doha to Singapore for the high-profile motorsport event. In Singapore, ministers are prohibited from accepting gifts unless they pay the market value or declare them when dealings are involved, highlighting the country’s commitment to transparency.
Ong, instrumental in bringing the F1 Grand Prix to Singapore and founder of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), operates luxurious brands like Four Seasons and Marriott under his company. Further charges allege that he also aided Iswaran in securing an all-expenses-paid trip to Doha, valued at approximately S$20,850 ($16,188). Both men were arrested in July 2023, with documentation indicating Iswaran received gifts exceeding S$403,000 ($311,882) for flights, accommodation, and entertainment.
Singapore’s ministers are among the highest compensated globally, with salaries exceeding S$1 million ($758,000), intended to deter corruption. At the time of the alleged offenses, Iswaran was part of the governmental F1 steering committee, acting as the chief negotiator for F1-related dealings.
Ong could face a maximum of two years in prison for assisting a public servant in acquiring gifts, with a potential seven-year sentence for obstruction of justice. Originally from Malaysia, Ong migrated to Singapore in his youth and established a successful hotel and property enterprise in the 1980s. Notably, he battles a rare bone marrow cancer, prompting the court to permit travel for medical and work purposes. Earlier in April, HPL announced Ong's decision to step down as managing director to prioritize his health.
