MALAYSIAN hotel magnate Ong Beng Seng, 79, who played a pivotal role in bringing the Formula One Grand Prix to Singapore, has been spared a prison sentence but fined S$30,000 (approximately RM98,668) on Friday for obstructing justice.
AFP reported today that Ong, a Singapore-based tycoon diagnosed with an untreatable cancer, pleaded guilty nearly two weeks ago to charges of conspiring with former Transport Minister S Iswaran to conceal evidence during an investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
District Judge Lee Lit Cheng said, “Given Ong’s medical condition, leniency is warranted as a custodial sentence would pose a high risk to his health.”
Ong, who owns Hotel Properties Limited headquartered in Singapore and holds the rights to the F1 race in the city-state, along with Iswaran, was instrumental in securing the prestigious event for Singapore in 2008. - August 15, 2025
