This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceqylpw3zzdo

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Singapore: Tycoon Ong Beng Seng pleads guilty in corruption case Singapore: Tycoon Ong Beng Seng pleads guilty in corruption case
(about 1 hour later)
Ong Beng Seng is accused of giving expensive gifts to Singapore's former transport ministerOng Beng Seng is accused of giving expensive gifts to Singapore's former transport minister
A billionaire hotelier has pleaded guilty to abetting offences in a rare corruption case that gripped Singapore and landed a former minister in jail. A Singapore-based billionaire hotelier has pleaded guilty to one charge connected to a rare corruption scandal that shocked the country last year.
Ong Beng Seng is accused of giving expensive gifts, including tickets to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, hotel stays and a ride on a private jet to ex-transportation minister Subramaniam Iswaran while they were engaged in official business. Ong Beng Seng is accused of giving expensive gifts, including tickets to the Formula 1 Grand Prix and a ride on a private jet to ex-transportation minister Subramaniam Iswaran while they were engaged in official business.
Ministers in Singapore cannot keep gifts unless they pay the market value of the gift to the government, and they must declare anything they receive from people they have business dealings with. Mr Ong pleaded guilty on Monday to abetting the obstruction of justice by helping Iswaran pay the Singapore Grand Prix for a business class ticket from Doha to Singapore.
The case shocked many in Singapore, a financial hub that prides itself on a squeaky clean image. Ministers in Singapore cannot keep gifts unless they pay the market value of the gift to the government, and they must declare anything they receive from those they have business dealings with.
The two men were arrested in July 2023, in a rare corruption scandal that gripped the country. Mr Ong helped bring the F1 Grand Prix to Singapore and his company Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) has brands like the Four Seasons and Marriott operating under it.
Charge sheets revealed that Iswaran was gifted more than S$403,000 ($311,882; £234,586) worth of flights, hotel stays, musicals and grand prix tickets. Mr Ong is also accused of abetting Iswaran in obtaining an all expenses paid trip to Doha, said to be worth around S$20,850 ($16,188; £12,194).
The two men were arrested in July 2023 and charge sheets revealed that Iswaran was gifted more than S$403,000 ($311,882; £234,586) worth of flights, hotel stays, musicals and grand prix tickets.
Singapore's lawmakers are among the highest-paid in the world, with some ministers earning more than S$1 million ($758,000). Leaders justify the handsome salaries by saying it combats corruption.Singapore's lawmakers are among the highest-paid in the world, with some ministers earning more than S$1 million ($758,000). Leaders justify the handsome salaries by saying it combats corruption.
Mr Ong helped brought the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Singapore and his company Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) has brands like the Four Seasons and the Hard Rock Hotel operating under them.
Ong Beng Seng helped bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix to SingaporeOng Beng Seng helped bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Singapore
At the time of the offences Iswaran was in the government's F1 steering committee and the chief negotiator on F1-related business matters.At the time of the offences Iswaran was in the government's F1 steering committee and the chief negotiator on F1-related business matters.
Mr Ong has been accused of abetting Iswaran in obtaining an all expenses paid trip to Doha, said to be worth around S$20,850 ($16,188; £12,194). Mr Ong faces up to two years in jail for abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts, while the maximum jail term he faces for the abetment of obstruction of justice is seven years.
He is also charged with abetting the obstruction of justice by helping Iswaran make a payment to the Singapore Grand Prix for a business flight ticket from Doha to Singapore.
He faces up to two years in jail for abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts, while the maximum jail term he faces for the abetment of obstruction of justice is seven years.
Born in Malaysia in 1946, Mr Ong moved to Singapore as a child and founded a hotel and property company in the 1980s.Born in Malaysia in 1946, Mr Ong moved to Singapore as a child and founded a hotel and property company in the 1980s.
Mr Ong has a rare bone marrow cancer, and the court previously allowed him to travel abroad for medical and work purposes.Mr Ong has a rare bone marrow cancer, and the court previously allowed him to travel abroad for medical and work purposes.
His company, Hotel Properties Limited, had earlier in April said that Ong would step down as its managing director "manage his medical conditions". Hotel Properties Limited had earlier in April said that Ong would step down as its managing director "manage his medical conditions".