The Singapore Attorney-General’s Chambers said it will make a decision about the investigations against billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng who has links to property development in Malaysia after the case against former Transport Minister S Iswaran is completed, a spokesperson said on Thursday (Jan 18).
Iswaran was handed 27 charges in court on Thursday, most of which were for receiving “valuable things” from Mr Ong between 2015 and 2022.
These include tickets to shows and football matches in the UK as well as tickets to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix.
He also allegedly received a paid-for trip to Doha – including a private jet flight, one night’s stay in a luxury hotel and a business class flight.
One of the charges alleges that Iswaran corruptly obtained gratification worth S$145,434 (US$108,000) from Mr Ong in exchange for advancing Mr Ong’s business interests relating to a contract between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board.
Ong owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of the race promoter Singapore GP. At the same time, Iswaran was chairman of the F1 Steering Committee and was actively involved in the government’s engagements with F1.
Iswaran pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.
In response to media queries, AGC noted that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) investigated the role of “other persons” in the matter, including Mr Ong.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers will take a decision in respect of the investigations against Mr Ong and others, after the case against Mr S Iswaran has been completed, including the presentation of evidence in court,” a spokesperson said.
Iswaran resigned from his positions in government on Tuesday while maintaining his innocence.
Ong Beng Seng is a well known property tycoon in Malaysia albeit maintaining a low profile usually fronting projects using proxies. He is the founder of Hotel Properties which owns 28 hotels including the Metropolitan in Bangkok and Four Seasons in Singapore and Malaysia. Together with his wife Christina who owns Club 21 are said to have a combined net worth of US$1.65 billion and ranked 15th richest in Singapore.
