Singapore based Malaysian billionaire Ong Beng Seng, who is alleged to have benefited from the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal, has been arrested.
The managing director of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) was arrested and asked by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to provide information in relation to his interactions with Singaporean Transport Minister S Iswaran.
The property tycoon currently operates eight resorts and one liveaboard in the Maldives.
“No charges have been filed against Mr Ong. He will be travelling from Jul 14 and will be surrendering his passport to CPIB upon his return to Singapore," HPL said in a company announcement on Friday, adding that he has posted bail of SGD 100,000 (USD 75,700) after being issued with a notice of arrest.
HPL said Mr Ong is fully cooperating with the anti-corruption agency and has provided the information requested.
“As this is an ongoing matter, he is unable to provide further details at this point. He has undertaken to provide updates to the board if there are subsequent material developments," the company said.
An influential businessman in Maldives
Ong's company operated top-class resorts in the Maldives. They are;
- InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
- Six Senses Laamu
- Six Senses Kanuhura
- Holiday Inn Kandooma
- Gili Lankanfushi
- Four Seasons Kuda Hura
- Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
- Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah
- Four Seasons Explorer (liveaboard)
Ong tops the list of foreign businessmen who provided assistance to the Maldives during the Covid pandemic. He donated 15 ventilators and 150,000 masks.
According to a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Ong benefited from the MMPRC scandal.
The report was based on information gathered after analyzing the mobile phone of former vice president Ahmed Adeeb.
It shows that Adeeb and former president Abdulla Yameen stayed at a presidential suite of Hilton Singapore operated by Ong's company.
The paid held discussions with Ong in the hotel and also attended a Formula One race as guests of the billionaire.
The meetings took place at a time when HPL was trying to confirm the lease of Vaavu Fohtheyo Bodufushi island and Lavadhoo island.
It is unclear whether any investigation has been conducted against Ong in the Maldives in connection with the MMPRC scandal.
