Singapore GP rights holder possibly involved in corruption scandal

The rights owners of the Singapore Grand Prix are possibly linked with and involved in a corruption case in Singapore.

Ong Beng Seng is the rights owner of the Singapore Grand Prix, with the Malaysian businessman being instrumental in bringing Formula 1 to Singapore. But now, the businessman is accused of giving gifts to S. Iswaran, Singapore's former transport minister. These gifts allegedly included private jet travel, trips to English Premier League football matches, and tickets to the Grand Prix.

Iswaran resigned from his post as transport minister last January, and he was given a 12-month jail term last week for obstructing justice, and therefore improperly receiving gifts as a public servant, with Ong at the centre of the prosecution's case.

There will be a lot of time until more becomes clear about the consequences for Ong, as the trial has been adjourned until pre-trial on 15 November.

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy

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