HOTEL Properties Ltd (HPL), which requested a trading halt before the market opened on Friday (Oct 4), announced after managing director Ong Beng Seng was charged that he “continues to be suitable to carry out his duties and responsibilities” in that role.
In a filing on Friday evening, the property player said that the board and the nominating committee will continue to monitor the progress of the matter, and that the nominating committee will continue to re-assess the suitability of the continued appointment of Ong.
Ong is currently on bail and seeking legal advice on the two charges that he was handed by the prosecution in the afternoon, HPL noted.
“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 announcement said.
The company requested the trading halt to be lifted, after the release of this announcement.
HPL shares had closed at S$3.68 on Thursday, before trading was stopped on Friday.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Ong was on Friday handed one charge of abetting offences under Section 165 of the Penal Code, and one charge of abetting the obstruction of justice, both in relation to dealings with former transport minister S Iswaran.
This came a day after Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail, having pleaded guilty to four charges under Section 165 and one for obstruction of justice.
Section 165 prohibits public servants from accepting valuable items for free or inadequate payment from someone connected to business transactions or proceedings they handle.
The charges against Ong are in relation to two of the charges to which Iswaran pleaded guilty. The first, for abetting an offence under Section 165, was related to flights and a hotel stay.
Ong allegedly offered Iswaran a trip to Doha in December 2022, and arranged for his private jet to fly the former minister there. The flight was worth US$7,700.
Ong also allegedly made arrangements through Singapore GP for a one-night stay at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, valued at S$4,737.63, and offered Iswaran a business-class flight from Doha to Singapore worth S$5,700.
The second charge was for allegedly instructing Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang, in May 2023, to bill Iswaran for the business-class ticket from Doha to Singapore – an action that would have obstructed the course of justice.
Those found guilty of offences under Section 165 can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. The maximum penalty for obstructing the course of justice is jail time of up to seven years, a fine, or both.
Abetting an offence would result in the same punishment if the offence is committed as a consequence of the abetment.
