Singapore Court Charges Property Billionaire Linked To Jailed Minister’s High-Profile Corruption Case

ASingapore court on Friday charged a property tycoon, Ong Beng Seng with obstructing justice and abetting offences connected to the high-profile government corruption case involving former Transport Minister S. Iswaran.

Ong, 78, is the owner of Hotel Properties Ltd (HPPS.SI) and holds the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 race.

Reuters reports that he is accused of giving Iswaran gifts worth nearly $300,000, including tickets to English Premier League soccer matches, Formula 1 events, London musicals, and a private jet ride.

Iswaran, who was arrested on Thursday, became the first former Singapore cabinet member to be jailed for corruption.

On that same day, a court sentenced him to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and accepting over $300,000 in gifts.

The case marks a significant chapter in Singapore’s reputation for clean governance. Iswaran, a former cabinet minister for 13 years who held roles in trade, communications, and transport, pleaded guilty last week to four charges of improperly receiving gifts and one charge of obstructing justice.

In response to the case, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed disappointment and sadness.

“It is painful to act against a colleague and a friend, but it is our duty to do so when necessary,” he said.

Wong, who assumed office in May 2024, emphasized the importance of maintaining clean governance: “Our system of government and politics must always stay clean and free from corruption.”

Ong’s court appearance follows the charges stemming from his alleged role in the scandal.

The prosecution had requested a sentence of six to seven months for Iswaran, but Judge Vincent Hoong described this as “manifestly inadequate” given the seriousness of the offences.

He noted that public trust in government institutions is fundamental to effective governance, and even the appearance of wrongdoing could undermine that trust.

Singapore ranked among the world’s five least corrupt countries last year, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.

In his statement, PM Wong acknowledged the rarity of such cases in Singapore but reaffirmed that those who stray from ethical conduct will eventually face consequences.

“In Singapore, those who go astray must expect their actions to come to light, and they will be held accountable,” Wong said.