Hotelier in Formula 1 Bribery Case Pleads Guilty in Singapore

Singapore-based billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng has pleaded guilty in a rare corruption case that rattled the city-state’s clean image. Ong, who played a key role in bringing the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Singapore, was accused of giving lavish gifts—including F1 tickets, luxury hotel stays, and a private jet ride—to former transport minister Subramaniam Iswaran. These gifts, valued at over S$403,000 ($311,882), were allegedly offered while Iswaran was involved in official business with Ong. Under Singapore law, ministers must declare all gifts and either return them or pay market value to the government. Ong’s company, Hotel Properties Limited, operates luxury brands such as Four Seasons and Hard Rock Hotel. Both men were arrested in July 2023. The case has drawn national attention, as Singapore’s leaders are among the world’s highest-paid and corruption cases are rare.