Malaysian billionaire hotelier charged in Singapore in relation to ex-minister's wrongdoings

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian billionaire hotelier who brought Formula One to Singapore was charged Friday for allegedly obstructing justice and abetting wrongdoings by a former Cabinet minister who was imprisoned a day earlier in a rare graft case.

The two charges against Ong Beng Seng came just a day after f ormer Transport Minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to a year in prison, making him the first minister to be jailed in Singapore in nearly half a century. Iswaran, 62, pleaded guilty last week to a count of obstructing justice and four of accepting illegal gifts such as F1 tickets, wine and whisky from Ong and another businessman Lum Kok Seng.

The commencement of Iswaran's sentence has been delayed to Monday. It is unclear if he will appeal the sentence.

Ong, 78, is accused of helping Iswaran obtain two flights and accommodation in Doha in December 2022, and abetting Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice, the Attorney-General Chambers said in a statement.

According to the charge sheet, Iswaran was at the time chairman of the F1 Steering Committee and was aware the paid-for trip was linked to an agreement for the race between Ong's Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board.

The charges against Ong corresponded to two of the charges to which Iswaran pleaded guilty to on Sept 24, the statement said. The prosecution will not be charging the other businessman, Lum, it added.

“In arriving at the decision, the prosecution considered all the relevant facts and circumstances of the case, including the role that Lum played in each of the transactions,” an AGC spokesman said in reply to queries on why Lum was let off. He didn't elaborate.

Ong did not indicate how he would plead to the charges. Channal News Asia reported. His bail has been extended, and the case has been adjourned till next month.

Ong, a Malaysian businessman based in Singapore, is the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited which owns 38 hotels and resorts in 17 countries. He is known for bringing Formula 1 to Singapore in 2008, and holds the right to the Grand Prix night race in the city-state.

Shares of HPL, which owns brands such as Four Seasons Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels and Marriott International, were halted early Friday ahead of the court proceedings.

Singapore ’s ministers are among the world’s best paid, and the case has embarrassed the ruling People’s Action Party, which prides itself on clean governance. The last Cabinet minister charged with graft was Wee Toon Boon, who was found guilty in 1975 and jailed for accepting gifts in exchange for helping a businessperson. Another Cabinet minister was investigated for graft in 1986, but died before charges were filed.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he was saddened as Iswaran had made significant contributions in his government roles but his “past contributions do not right this wrong.”

“Those entrusted with public service must uphold the highest standards of integrity and their conduct must be beyond reproach. This is absolutely vital and non-negotiable,," Wong said in a statement.