Singapore’s property billionaire Ong Beng Seng was charged Friday with obstructing justice and abetting offenses related to gifts given to former transport minister S. Iswaran, marking the latest development in a corruption scandal that has rocked the city-state’s typically clean political establishment.
Ong, 78, owner of Hotel Properties Ltd and rights holder to the Singapore Grand Prix Formula One race, appeared in court facing accusations of providing high-value gifts to Iswaran, who on Thursday became the first former cabinet member in Singapore’s history to receive a prison sentence.
The charges against Ong include:
– One count of abetting Iswaran’s receipt of two flights and luxury hotel accommodation in Doha worth S$20,848.03 (approximately $15,300).
– One count of abetting Iswaran in obstruction of justice.
These charges correspond to two of the 35 charges brought against Iswaran, who was sentenced to 12 months in jail for obstructing justice and improperly receiving gifts as a public servant.
“This case has significant implications for Singapore’s reputation for clean governance,” said political analyst Dr. Lim Yee Chen, speaking to the Associated Press. “It’s unprecedented to see a figure of Ong’s stature implicated in such a high-profile corruption case.”
Prosecutors during Iswaran’s trial said the ex-minister received gifts from Ong worth more than $300,000, including tickets to English Premier League soccer matches, Formula One Grand Prix events, London musicals, and a ride on a private jet to Doha.
The court heard how Iswaran had asked Ong to bill him for the Doha trip on the private jet after discovering that the anti-graft agency had seized the flight manifest for an unrelated case. Justice Vincent Hoong, who presided over Iswaran’s case, described this as a deliberate move to obstruct justice and evade investigation.
Ong, a Malaysian citizen based in Singapore, has not yet commented on the accusations. Channel NewsAsia reported that he entered no plea on Friday and did not indicate how he would plead. His company, Singapore-listed Hotel Properties Ltd, requested a trading halt early Friday following the announcement of the charges.
The attorney-general’s chambers stated that while Ong is being charged for his involvement in two of Iswaran’s charges, the prosecution will not pursue charges related to other allegations against the former minister.
This case has captivated Singapore, a wealthy financial hub that offers ministers salaries exceeding S$1 million ($771,247) annually to deter corruption. The city-state prides itself on its reputation for clean governance and transparency.
“The charges against Ong Beng Seng underscore the seriousness with which Singapore treats allegations of corruption, regardless of the individual’s status or wealth,” said legal expert Sarah Tan. “It sends a strong message about the equality of all before the law.”
The court adjourned Ong’s hearing until pre-trial proceedings on November 15. Meanwhile, the attorney-general’s chambers announced it will not charge Lum Kok Seng, another businessman named in Iswaran’s charges as having given gifts to the former minister.
As the case unfolds, it continues to spark discussions about governance, accountability, and the relationship between business and politics in Singapore. The outcome of this high-profile case could have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape and its reputation as a corruption-free business hub in Southeast Asia.
