Malaysian hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng leaves the State Court in Singapore on August 4, 2025. Malaysian hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng pleaded guilty August 4 to a charge linked to the city-state’s former transport minister who was jailed for corruption. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng—who holds the franchise for the Formula One Singapore grand prix—pleaded guilty to obstructing the course of justice in a corruption case that led to the imprisonment of a senior politician for accepting gifts.
The former managing director of Singapore-listed Hotel Properties conceded on Monday to abetting former Transport Minister S. Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice, while another charge was taken into consideration. The charges are related to flights, a hotel stay in Doha and Formula One tickets that Iswaran had received from Ong when the ex-lawmaker headed the Singapore Formula One night race steering committee.
While Ong, 79, could be jailed for up to seven years and fined, or be given both, for the offences, his lawyer asked the judge for leniency given the tycoon’s medical condition. Ong had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare type of bone marrow cancer.
Malaysian-born Ong, who is currently out on bail, is expected to be handed down his sentence on August 15. He stepped down as managing director of Hotel Properties in April.
With a combined net worth of $1.7 billion, Ong and his wife Christina are among the wealthiest in Singapore. Their Hotel Properties has a portfolio of assets across 15 countries including the Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore and resorts in the Maldives. The developer said last month it’s in talks with potential partners to redevelop three of its adjoining prime properties on Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping strip.