The government stipulates that ministers cannot retain gifts unless they reimburse the market value, and any received items from business associates must be openly declared. In this case, Ong reportedly assisted Iswaran in securing a business class ticket from Doha to Singapore for the Grand Prix. Additionally, he is thought to have facilitated an extravagant trip to Doha, valued at approximately S$20,850 ($16,188), for Iswaran. Legal documents indicate that Iswaran received over S$403,000 (approximately $311,882) worth of hospitality, including flights, accommodations, and entertainment, raising questions about transparency within Singapore’s high-salaried political ranks.

Ong, the founder of Hotel Properties Limited—which operates notable hotel brands like Four Seasons—has been implicated in the scandal alongside Iswaran, who was a member of the government’s Formula 1 steering committee and the main negotiator for F1-related affairs. Ong, who was born in Malaysia and established his company in the 1980s, faces severe legal consequences, including a potential seven-year prison sentence for obstruction of justice and up to two years for abetting a public servant obtaining gifts. As Ong continues to manage his serious health issues, having been diagnosed with a rare type of bone marrow cancer, he had previously been granted court permission to travel for both medical and professional reasons.