Bangladesh, Aug. 5 -- In a rare development for a nation known globally for its tough anti-corruption stance and political cleanliness, a prominent billionaire hotelier has pleaded guilty to charges tied to a corruption scandal that has rattled Singapores political elite.

Ong Beng Seng, the 79-year-old tycoon behind the luxury hospitality conglomerate Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), admitted in court on August 4 to abetting the obstruction of justice. The charge relates to his role in helping former Transport Minister S. Iswaran conceal evidence during an ongoing corruption investigation last year.

The scandal, which surfaced in July 2023, stunned many Singaporeans. It is a significant moment in the city-states modern political history,...