Dato' Ong Beng Seng (Chinese: 王明星; pinyin: Wáng Míng Xīng; born January 1946), often known by his initials, OBS, is a Singapore-based Malaysian billionaire businessman. He is the founder of the Singapore-based organisation Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) which is a shareholder of various businesses, including Hard Rock resorts and Four Seasons resorts across Europe and Asia.
Ong Beng Seng | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1946 (age 78) |
| Nationality | Malaysian |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse | Christina Ong |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editOng was born in January 1946 in Teluk Anson, British Malaya.[1] When he was four years old, his family emigrated to Singapore. Ong Beng Seng has three brothers, Beng Huat, Beng Lim and Beng Min. His career began when he joined an insurance firm for ships. In 1975, he joined Kuo International, founded by businessman Peter Fu Yun Siak and there he met his later-to-be spouse, Christina.[2]
Career
editAfter beginning his trading career at Kuo International, Ong went on to found his own firm, Hotel Properties Limited. Today, he controls many businesses, including a few based in Bond Street in London, and his investments are worth tens of millions of dollars.[2] He is a well-established hotelier, having bought and built many hotels worldwide.[2] As the chairman of race promoter Singapore GP, Ong is credited with bringing Formula One racing to the country; the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, which was also the first F1 night race, was held in 2008.[3][4]
1995 discounted apartment sales by HPL
editOn 22 April 1996, the Stock Exchange of Singapore criticised HPL for not having been "forthcoming" about discounts it had given to several prominent individuals in relation to property sales. HPL had allegedly sold condominium units at a discount to Lee Suan Yew, who was the brother of then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, and a director of HPL.[5]
Lee Kuan Yew and his son, then-Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong subsequently stated in a joint statement dated 23 April 1996 that they had also purchased condominium units at a discount from HPL.[6]
HPL founder and managing director, Ong, insisted that no preferential treatment had been given to the Lees and stated that he was "a businessman, not a pontificator... (who) did what a businessman would have done".[7]
After reviewing the results of an investigation by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong cleared the Lees of any wrongdoing.[8]
Investigation and prosecution for corruption
editOn 14 July 2023, it was announced that he had been arrested on 11 July 2023 in connection with a potential corruption case related to Singapore's former Minister of Transport S. Iswaran, with a notice of arrest issued for him by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).[9]
Ong was charged in the Singapore District Court on 4 October 2024 with one charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code and one charge under Section 204A of the Penal Code. It was reported that Ong was not remanded and was out on SGD 800,000 bail.
In a regulatory filing with the Singapore Exchange (on which HPL is listed), HPL stated that Ong had informed HPL of the two charges and was seeking legal advice. HPL stated that Ong would remain managing director of HPL for the time being and its nominating committee and board had assessed that Ong "continues to be suitable to carry out his duties and responsibilities as managing director". HPL had requested a trading halt prior to Ong being charged.[10]
The charging of Ong closely followed the Singapore High Court's decision on 3 October 2024 to sentence Iswaran to 12 months imprisonment for obtaining valuable items as a public servant and obstructing justice. [11]
Personal life
editOng lives in Singapore with his family. He is married to Christina Ong (née Fu), the daughter of a businessman; they have a daughter and a son.[2] A "glitzy figure in Singapore and abroad", Ong was described by Hilary Clarke of The Independent as "media shy" and "notoriously secretive". Despite that, he is known to be well-acquainted with many Hollywood celebrities.[2]
Wealth
editOng's business approach is to "buy and rents when properties are cheap and sell when they are not."[2] Forbes estimates the net worth of Ong and his wife Christina Ong at $1.75 billion as of September 2022, making them the 24th richest people in Singapore.[12]
References
edit- ^ Wong, Shiying (14 July 2023). "Who is Ong Beng Seng, the tycoon caught up in CPIB's probe involving Iswaran?". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Clarke, Hilary (29 March 1998). "Profile: Beng Seng and Christina Ong: Asian pair sell west, buy east". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022.
- ^ Wong, Shiying (14 July 2023). "Tycoon Ong Beng Seng issued notice of arrest, asked by CPIB to give info on interactions with Iswaran". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Formula 1™ - the Official F1™ Website". Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ "HPL rapped for delay in disclosing condo sale at discount". The Business Times. 21 May 1996. p. 1.
- ^ Healy, Tim; Oorjitham, Santha (10 May 1996). "No Discounts, Please". CNN. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "SM's wife made decision to buy Nassim Jade: HPL". The Straits Times. 21 May 1996. p. 26.
- ^ Tan, Angela (14 July 2023). "HPL shares tumble with MD Ong Beng Seng caught up in CPIB probe involving Iswaran". Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "HPL billionaire boss Ong Beng Seng implicated in CPIB probe over S Iswaran, given notice of arrest and posted S$100,000 bail". TODAY. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Ong Beng Seng to remain as managing director in wake of charges, says HPL". Channel News Asia. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Singapore charges tycoon Ong Beng Seng over ex-minister Iswaran's case". South China Morning Post. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Burgos, Jonathan (7 September 2022). "Ong Beng Seng Positions His Flagship Hotel Properties For Post-Pandemic Recovery". Forbes. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.