Singaporean property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, known for his ownership of luxury resorts in the Maldives, is facing significant legal challenges following charges filed against him on October 4. Ong has been charged with abetting a public servant in receiving gifts and abetting the obstruction of justice, which could lead to a jail sentence of 2 to 7 years, a fine, or both, if convicted.

These charges are connected to the ongoing investigations by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) involving former transport minister S. Iswaran. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison on October 3 for, among other offenses, accepting valuable items from Ong.

According to court documents, the 78-year-old Ong allegedly encouraged Iswaran to accept a valuable item in December 2022, offering him a trip from Singapore to Doha aboard Ong's private plane, valued at US$7,700 (S$10,400). Additionally, Ong arranged for Iswaran to stay one night at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, valued at approximately S$4,737.63, and provided a business class flight back to Singapore worth US$5,700.

Ong is charged with one count of abetment under Section 165, which prohibits public servants from accepting anything of value from individuals they deal with in their official capacity without appropriate payment. 

As per Singaporean Media, the Court documents reveal that Ong had informed Iswaran that the CPIB had seized the flight manifest for their trip, prompting the minister to request Ong to bill him for the flight to evade investigations. This incident eventually led to Iswaran being charged with obstruction of justice.

Between May 18 and 25, 2023, Ong allegedly aided Iswaran in making a payment of $5,700 to Singapore GP by instructing that the flight expense be billed to the minister. This payment covered Iswaran's business class ticket from Doha to Singapore, which was initially paid by Ong's company.

Ong's legal team is currently seeking advice regarding the charges. He is a prominent figure in the Formula One (F1) racing scene, serving as the chairman of Singapore GP and was one of several individuals called by the CPIB during the investigation. 

His court appearance follows his arrest by the CPIB on July 11, 2023. After posting bail of $100,000, he was permitted to travel to Bali. Iswaran, 62, faced a total of 35 charges, most of which are related to Ong; however, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has stated that no further charges will be brought against Ong concerning the former minister’s case.

In light of these events, Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), the property and hotel development company co-founded by Ong, requested a trading halt on the morning of October 4 pending further announcements. Ong serves as the company's managing director and controlling shareholder.

The hotel brands managed by HPL Hotels & Resorts include Concorde Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels, The Boutique Collection and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, a luxury eco-friendly resort in the Maldives.

HPL Properties in the Maldives are Four Seasons Resort at KudaHuraa and Landaa Giraavaru; Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, Six Senses Laamu, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma and Kanuhura Maldives.