Ong Beng Seng pleads guilty to charge linked to former minister S Iswaran
Property tycoon and hotelier Ong Beng Seng pleaded guilty on 4 August 2025 to abetting former transport minister S Iswaran in obstructing justice by belatedly billing him for a flight ticket. The 79-year-old billionaire’s case, which has drawn significant public attention due to its ties to Singapore’s Formula One legacy, comes after a two-year investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
- Ong admitted to helping Iswaran conceal a benefit by delaying billing for a S$5,700 flight ticket from Doha to Singapore.
- The CPIB uncovered the offence during an unrelated probe in May 2023, leading to Ong’s eventual charge in October 2024.
- Ong’s plea marks a major development in a corruption case that also saw Iswaran jailed for 12 months in 2024.
SINGAPORE: Singapore-based property billionaire Ong Beng Seng pleaded guilty on 4 August 2025 to a charge connected to former transport minister S Iswaran.
Ong, aged 79, admitted to one count of abetting Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice by belatedly billing him S$5,700 (US$4,480) for a business class ticket from Doha to Singapore.
The payment was made months after the flight and only came to light when the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) discovered Iswaran’s name on the manifest while probing an unrelated matter.
A second charge, for instigating Iswaran to obtain flights and hotel accommodation despite knowing his official duties were connected to Ong’s business, was taken into consideration for sentencing.
The hearing at the State Courts was overseen by Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng. The prosecution team included Deputy Chief Prosecutor Christopher Ong and Deputy Public Prosecutors Sarah Siaw, Kelvin Chong and Goh Qi Shuen.
Representing Ong were Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull and Adam Maniam from Drew & Napier, alongside Senior Counsel Jason Chan, Lee Bik Wei and Cheryl Chong from Allen & Gledhill.
Proceedings were delayed after two false fire alarms forced the court to stand down. The hearing, initially set for 9:30am, began at about 10:20am once the situation was resolved.
Ong was first scheduled to plead guilty on 2 April 2025, but his lawyers requested more time to obtain medical reports. A second hearing planned for 3 July 2025 was postponed as both sides needed additional time to file sentencing submissions.
The case proceeded through several pre-trial conferences before finally being heard on 4 August 2025, more than two years after investigators uncovered the first evidence.
Ong was formally charged on 4 October 2024 with abetment of a public servant in obtaining gifts, and with abetment of obstruction of justice under Section 204A of Singapore’s Penal Code.
Court documents revealed that in December 2022, Ong arranged for Iswaran to travel on his private jet from Singapore to Doha. The flight was valued at about US$7,700 (S$10,400).
In addition, Ong allegedly provided Iswaran with a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha worth S$4,737.63, as well as a business class return ticket to Singapore costing S$5,700.
On 17 May 2023, while investigating a separate case involving Ong’s associates, the CPIB discovered the flight manifest showing Iswaran’s presence on Ong’s private jet.
The next day, Ong’s associates informed him that CPIB had seized the manifest and questioned them about the trip. Between 18 May and 23 May 2023, Ong called Iswaran to inform him that CPIB had obtained the document.
Iswaran acknowledged the seizure and later asked Ong to have Singapore GP issue him an invoice for the trip expenses, including the return flight. Ong agreed and instructed a director at Singapore GP to prepare the invoice.
On 24 May 2023, the director sent the invoice to Iswaran’s personal assistant. Iswaran subsequently issued a cheque for S$5,700 to Singapore GP.
Prosecutors said Iswaran’s delayed payment obstructed the course of justice by making it less likely that his receipt of benefits would be investigated, and that Ong fully understood this implication.
Ong was born in Sabah, Malaysia, in 1946 and moved to Singapore at the age of four. He studied at Anglo-Chinese School and later obtained a degree in insurance from the United Kingdom before working in Europe and Southeast Asia.
In 1972, he married Christina Fu, a prominent businesswoman. Three years later, Ong joined Kuo International, an oil trading firm owned by his father-in-law Peter Fu. The wealth he accumulated there helped fund his entry into property development.
Ong founded Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) in 1980, which became a major property developer with assets across prime areas including Orchard Road. HPL was listed in 1982 and, as of 31 December 2024, its hotel division managed 41 hotels in 17 countries. Ong stepped down as HPL’s managing director in April 2025.
Ong, a passionate motorsport enthusiast, is credited with bringing Formula One to Singapore in 2008. He negotiated directly with Formula One Group’s then-chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to secure the rights for the world’s first night race.
Iswaran, who chaired the F1 steering committee, led the government’s negotiations with Singapore GP. The two men worked closely in the mid-2000s to make the event a reality.
Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail on 3 October 2024 after being found guilty of accepting multiple gifts from Ong. He served part of his sentence on home detention between February and June 2025.
