In a rare development for a nation known globally for its tough anti-corruption stance and political cleanliness, a prominent billionaire hotelier has pleaded guilty to charges tied to a corruption scandal that has rattled Singapore’s political elite.

Ong Beng Seng, the 79-year-old tycoon behind the luxury hospitality conglomerate Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), admitted in court on August 4 to abetting the obstruction of justice. The charge relates to his role in helping former Transport Minister S. Iswaran conceal evidence during an ongoing corruption investigation last year.

The scandal, which surfaced in July 2023, stunned many Singaporeans. It is a significant moment in the city-state’s modern political history, not only for the level of power involved but also for the unprecedented nature of the accusations. Ong, a businessman long intertwined with Singapore’s high-level business and government activities, was one of two central figures in the case-the other being Iswaran, a veteran minister who had served in various portfolios.

The court heard that Ong had given Iswaran a lavish all-expenses-paid trip to Qatar in December 2022, which included accommodation and a flight aboard Ong’s private jet. The pair were engaged in discussions and meetings related to Formula One (F1) business affairs, for which Iswaran had been the Singapore government’s chief negotiator and part of its F1 steering committee.

The cost of the trip, particularly a commercial flight from........

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