17-9-2023 (SINGAPORE) Billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng, 79, was spotted in the paddock during the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Grand Prix, making a public appearance after his recent involvement in the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) investigation of Transport Minister S Iswaran.
On September 16, Ong was photographed in the paddock alongside fashion designer Moko. Sporting a light blue shirt, he appeared to be in high spirits as he engaged in conversations with guests. The sighting of Ong at the prestigious event garnered attention, given his recent legal entanglements.
Earlier this year, Ong was arrested on the same day as Minister Iswaran, on July 11, 2023, as part of the CPIB probe. The investigation aimed to gather information regarding Ong’s interactions with the minister. Both individuals were subsequently released on bail, with the CPIB impounding their passports as a precautionary measure.
While on bail, individuals can request permission to travel overseas, which the CPIB assesses on a case-by-case basis. In Ong’s case, his request to travel was granted by the CPIB. However, he had to post bail in the amount of S$100,000, and upon his return to Singapore from Bali via a private jet, he was required to surrender his passport to the CPIB.
Ong Beng Seng’s presence at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Grand Prix is noteworthy due to his long-standing association with the event. He played a pivotal role in bringing the exhilarating night races to Singapore, leveraging his friendship with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. Ong’s influence and negotiations in 2007 resulted in the successful hosting of the F1 race in Singapore.
However, Bernie Ecclestone himself has faced legal troubles. On June 6, 2023, he pleaded not guilty to a criminal charge of fraud. The UK’s tax agency, HM Revenue and Customs, accused Ecclestone of failing to declare S$650 million in assets held in an undisclosed Singapore bank. The investigation into Ecclestone’s case involved close collaboration between Singapore authorities, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Singapore Police Force (SPF), and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
