The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) announced it would consider further action regarding hotelier Ong Beng Seng following the conclusion of proceedi
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) announced it would consider further action regarding hotelier Ong Beng Seng following the conclusion of proceedings against former Transport Minister S Iswaran. In response to media queries, the AGC stated, “The Attorney-General’s Chambers will make a decision regarding the investigations against Mr Ong and others once the case against Mr S Iswaran has concluded, including the court presentation of evidence.”
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) conducted inquiries into other parties in addition to Mr. Iswaran, including Ong.
Charges Against Iswaran
Iswaran was charged with corruption on January 18, accused of accepting over S$145,000 from Ong Beng Seng to advance Ong’s business interests concerning a contract between Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Another charge involves advancing Ong’s interests over the STB’s potential ABBA Voyage concert proposal in Singapore.
Iswaran also faces 24 charges for allegedly accepting items valued at over S$218,000, including Singapore Grand Prix tickets, between 2015 and 2021, while serving as a public official. Additionally, he faces a charge of obstructing justice.
Ong’s Role in Singapore’s F1 Scene
Known for securing the Formula One night race in Singapore, Ong used his connections, notably with F1’s Bernie Eccleston, to bring the event to Singapore in 2007. Through Singapore GP and with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board, Ong recently extended the F1 hosting rights through 2028. Ong and his wife were estimated by Forbes to have a net worth of US$1.75 billion (S$2.3 billion) in 2022.
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