Vivian Lai puts on a brave front, says “心晴朗没雨天" kym?

Former Pokka International CEO and 2 Kimly directors charged over disclosure offences

SINGAPORE: The former chief executive of Pokka International and two directors of coffee shop operator Kimly were charged in court on Friday (Nov 12) over disclosure offences, the police said in a news release.

Former Pokka International CEO Ong Eng Sing, 46, was charged with three counts of failing to disclose his indirect interest in a transaction with Pokka International.

Chia Cher Khiang and Lim Hee Kiat were each charged with one count of failing to notify the Singapore Exchange (SGX) of Kimly's acquisition of drinks company Asian Story Corporation (ASC), which was announced on Jul 2, 2018.

It was alleged that the acquisition was an interested person transaction, which should have been disclosed under the SGX Catalist Rules but was not, said the police.

Lim, who was the executive chairman of Kimly, was further charged with one count of failing to disclose his indirect interest in the acquisition.

According to court documents, Lim had partial beneficial ownership of ASC.

Chia was offered S$50,000 bail while Lim was offered S$70,000 bail.

It was alleged that Ong, who was a director in Pokka International and Pokka Corporation (Singapore), had partial beneficial ownership of ASC.

Ong had allegedly failed to disclose his interest to Pokka International and Pokka Corporation on three occasions when ASC entered into transactions with the two Pokka entities.

According to court documents, he had failed to disclose his interest sometime in 2010 during a distribution agreement between Pokka International and ASC.

Ong had also allegedly failed to disclose his interest during a manufacturing agreement between the two companies dated Aug 1, 2016.

Sometime around November to December 2017, the two companies agreed on a distribution framework, where ASC would supply Etika products to Pokka International. The latter would distribute the products in the general trade channel in Singapore.

The former CEO allegedly failed to disclose that ASC was a company he had partial beneficial ownership of, according to court documents.

For failing to disclose the acquisition was an interested person transaction, they may be jailed up to seven years, fined up to S$250,000, or both.

For failing to disclose their interest with the company, offenders may face a jail term of up to 12 months or a fine of up to S$5,000.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/former-pokka-ceo-ong-eng-sing-kimly-directors-court-disclosure-2308571

BREAKING: Vivian Lai's hubby tio charged in court!

I am more curious as to whether they would eventually divorce.

Self victimising now, are we? Resorting to using your children as a shield in this shitstorm?

Maybe your husband should’ve thought of that before he scammed Pokka as alleged by them. Or before you started bragging about your 8 million dollar property.

'I don't want my kids to be afraid to go home': Vivian Lai on husband's lawsuit

Vivian Lai has finally broken her silence since her husband Alain Ong was removed from his post at Pokka in 2018.

Speaking to local media, she revealed that media attention over the incident has disrupted her family life.

The sight of reporters stationed outside her house has started making her children afraid to return home, the actress-host said.

"Our home should be a warm place where our kids can feel at ease."

Although Vivian admitted that she is under immense pressure, she will carry on because she has to be strong for her family.

"No matter what happens, our family of four will stay united and weather this difficult period," the tired-looking host said as she choked up.

When the news first broke, the 43-year-old shared that she was shocked because she never thought something like this would happen to her.

However, she did not comment on the case, only saying that "the truth will reveal itself in time."

Her emotional response came following recent reports of Pokka suing Ong — who was formerly deputy group CEO of Pokka Corporation (Singapore) and CEO of Pokka International — and accusing him of being part of a conspiracy that caused the beverage company to suffer at least $10 million in losses.

Ong has since issued a statement through his lawyer, saying that he is simply assisting with investigations and that he's not the person being investigated.

Shortly after he was removed from his post last September, Vivian ended a 10-year-long stint as Pokka's spokesperson.

https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/i-dont-want-my-kids-be-afraid-go-home-vivian-lai-husbands-lawsuit

LOL this shameless couple still has the audacity to claim they were humiliated by Pokka's revelation.

Is MP for Marine Parade GRC and CEO NTUC FairPrice Co-operative Seah Kian Peng friends with Vivian and Alain?

Wrong leh, Shit Times says he is being sued for loss of $10m

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pokka-sues-ex-ceo-alain-ong-alleging-he-was-part-of-conspiracy-that-caused-10m-loss

Looks like Miss Big Cock's million dollar house is about to go under the hammer.

Oh my god........Pokka sues Vivian Lai's hubby for $6.51m!!!!!!

Kimly still acting damn steady and calm now.......

Kimly to develop own brand of coffees and teas amid probe

KIMLY Ltd - the Catalist-listed coffeeshop operator being investigated over a controversial purchase of a drinks firm that was later aborted - remains open to acquisitions and strategic alliances, but will look at this point at developing its own brand of coffees and tea, it said on Tuesday.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/kimly-to-develop-own-brand-of-coffees-and-teas-amid-probe

Kimly's exec chairman, exec director arrested by CAD, released on bail

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/kimlys-exec-chairman-exec-director-arrested-by-cad-released-on-bail

Big cock lover next to be invited for a coffee drinking session?

Appears Kimly has resumed trading on SGX, though its current stock price is already down by more than 10% compared to pre-suspension numbers.......

Erm..... she is from Taiwan, since she is now in Taipei, perhaps could be 回娘家...

Question though is, will she return to SG in the foreseeable future given that her hubby is presently knee deep in shit? :P

Why not just divorce his ass now; she could get half of what's left which might still be worth something, but probably not for long I reckon..... eventually all his assets might be frozen if found guilty?

Meanwhile, Vivian Lai is holidaying abroad without a care in the world.......

Uh oh.....

Kimly directors under CAD, MAS probe; calls off acquisition of drinks maker

WHITE collar-crime investigators are probing coffeeshop operator Kimly's initial public offering and its acquisition of drinks maker Asian Story Corp (ASC), and have seized the passports of Kimly's executive directors, the company said late Thursday.

More at https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/kimly-directors-under-cad-mas-probe-calls-off-acquisition-of-drinks-maker

Seller of Asian Story to Kimly had links to Pokka

More at https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/seller-of-asian-story-to-kimly-had-links-to-pokka

Where is the couple hiding? Come out come out, wherever you are!

Latest from Shin Min News.

Her Instagram account hasn't been updated since 24 September hmm

Vivian Lai has been removed from Pokka poster on Facebook.

BREAKING: SHIN MIN ZAOBAO MIGHT HAVE REPORTED FALSE NEWS!!!!!!

Mediacorp refutes actress Vivian Lai's $1 million endorsement fee for Pokka

SINGAPORE - Mediacorp has refuted widespread speculation about local actress Vivian Lai's million-dollar endorsement fee for Japanese beverage firm Pokka.

Lai, 41, was thrown in the spotlight last week after her husband Alain Ong was suspended as chief executive officer at Pokka International following an internal audit.

Lai previously explained in an interview that when she took up the endorsement a decade ago, her husband was only a small executive in the company and was not a key decision-maker.

She said that Pokka had been looking for an ambassador then and learnt that an employee's wife was an artist.

She added that they had contacted her likely because they were hoping for a "good deal" and she agreed as the fee was reasonable.

Mediacorp had said in a statement on Sept 27 that Lai's contract with Pokka remains unchanged, despite the changes involving her husband.

Last Saturday, however, a Mediacorp spokesman told Chinese-language broadsheet Lianhe Zaobao that rumours of Lai's million-dollar ambassadorship was speculation.

The spokesman said that Mediacorp had not refuted what was reported in 2012 as it does not typically respond to any speculation.

More at https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/mediacorp-refutes-actress-vivian-lais-1-million-endorsement-fee-for-pokka

https://mothership.sg/2018/09/alain-ong-pokka-kimly/

Lianhe Wanbao: Ex-Pokka CEO Alain Ong to join S’pore’s largest coffee shop operator Kimly

It appears that the Chinese evening dailies have another scoop on Alain Ong a.k.a ex-Pokka CEO a.k.a husband of Pokka ambassador Vivian Lai.

According to Lianhe Wanbao (LHWB), sources familiar with the company told the paper that Ong had already made preparations to move over to Kimly Limited.

Kimly Limited is one of the largest coffee shop operators in Singapore alongside Kopitiam Group, Chang Cheng Group and Kim San Leng.

It manages 60 coffee shops, four industrial canteens, and four food courts.

Here’s what you should know about Kimly Limited:

Kimly Limited is the first coffee shop operator to be listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), in March 2017.

According to LHWB, Ong (who also goes by Ong Eng Sing) joined Kimly Limited as a Non-Executive and Non-Independent director in February 2017. He was also on Kimly’s Audit Committee and Renumeration Committee.

Kimly announced that Ong retired from its Board of Directors in January 2018 due to “other principal commitments”.

The announcement also stated that Ong has 5,140,000 ordinary shares (direct interest) in Kimly.

In July 2018, Kimly Ltd announced that it acquired Asian Story Corporation for $16 million, adding that the acquisition would allow it to sell the Asian Story beverages at all of the drinks stalls operated by them.

Asian Story Corporation (ASC) manufactures drinks like soya bean, winter melon tea, bandung and herbal tea under its Asian Story brand (said to be the number 3 brand in the domestic Asian drinks market), as well as Simply Water (mineral water). It is distributed by Pokka Corp in Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. 

Both Pokka and Asian Story sponsor Chinese variety shows such as What’s In The Fridge? (冰箱的秘密) which is hosted by Lai.

Lai is also a long-time ambassador for Pokka while her co-host, Pornsak, has an endorsement deal with Asian Story.

Pokka declined comment in response to LHWB’s queries, citing an on-going audit. LHWB said that Kimly did not respond in time for print.

LOL Sinkies really love to kaypoh about this type of saga

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=92228&start=20

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=92228&start=30

Flip prata again? So did she earn a million bucks or not?

So many hypotheses, which is true?

Rebuttal by cute kiddo:

Mothership has started to stir more shit lol as expected.

Who’s Alain Ong? Here are 5 facts about the Pokka CEO, & hubby of Pokka ambassador Vivian Lai

Alain Ong, Pokka’s CEO, has been thrust into the media spotlight following news that he had been suspended pending an internal audit by Pokka.

So in case you don’t really know the man, here are 5 things you need to know about the 43-year old former Pokka CEO.

1. He’s been married to Vivian Lai for 17 years

The couple got hitched in 2001, and have two kids.

His proposal was also quite a Singaporean proposal.

According to Toggle, Ong had proposed to Lai while viewing apartments with her.

Lai told Toggle that he proposed while they were waiting at the lift lobby at one of the showrooms, where in response to Lai’s plan to invest in a piece of property, he brought up the idea of applying for a house to get married.

Lai agreed.

2. His house is very nice

Earlier this year, Lai did an interview with Zaobao, letting them in for a tour of her family’s new S$8 million “dream house”.

Here’s the video.

Here’s their three story house where Lai, Ong, their two children, and two domestic helpers reside.

The 3,500 square feet house is located in Central Singapore, and set them back a cool S$8 million.

Lai had mentioned to Zaobao, the basement is fitted with a sound-proof Karaoke room where their family can go to de-stress.

Prior to that, according to an interview with Edgeprop, Ong and his family lived in a 6,000 square feet house located in Thomson.

3. He was in charge of way more than the Singapore market

Being Singaporean, and working in the Singapore branch of Pokka, one might be forgiven for thinking that he is just in charge of operations in Singapore.

According to a Straits Times piece in May 8, 2017, Ong was in charge of the international arm of Pokka.

Which, at that time, consisted of marketing to more than 60 countries.

According to a 2017 report by Sapporo Holdings, the parent company of Pokka, Pokka Singapore had group net sales of S$256 million in 2016.

4. He’s responsible for many Pokka vending machines

If you’ve noticed more Pokka vending machines in Singapore over the years, you might have Ong to thank for it

One of the impacts Ong had during his tenure as CEO in Pokka was his emphasis on vending machines.

Specifically, his decision to set up a vending machine division in Singapore.

In the same ST article, Ong talked about the difficulties of pushing through new ideas in the face of a rather conservative board.

The vending machine division was established despite that idea being frowned upon by management before.

Pokka also launched the first cashless vending machine in 2012, at Zhenghua Community Centre, quickly followed by 19 other community centres.

5. He’s a family man

In a 2017 interview with Edgeprop, Ong revealed that family was a priority for him.

He made it a point to eat with his family as often as possible, and catches up on the daily activities of his children.

The parents’ rather busy schedule means that family holidays are quite a premium though.

Lai reveals in an interview with 8 days magazine that they only get to travel as a family once a year.

Here’s Lai’s quote to 8 days:

https://mothership.sg/2018/09/alain-ong-vivian-lai-facts-pokka/

More from XinMin!

Vivian 姐姐 says there are no dead ends in life, what a cryptic response.

Vivian lai can be spokesperson for Yellow Ribbon soon?

Anyway can sleep well tonight!!!!!

Can't believe she is paid a million bucks for making retarded ads like this.

41 year old lao aunty with expired CB.......how can she even be worth 1 million bucks?????

Should use this SYT as new Pokka gal ASAP!!!!!!

Yikes.....from from Pokka to Pokkai

Moving house soon, from $8 million semi-detached to HDB flat?

Pokka CEO Alain Ong, hubby of Pokka ambassador Vivian Lai, suspended pending internal audit

The CEO of Pokka International, Alain Ong, has been suspended from his duties pending an internal audit, according to Shin Min Daily News (SMDN) in a Sept. 26 report.

According to the Chinese paper, there has been a massive shake up of the beverage company’s higher management a few days ago. Aside from Ong, several other management-level positions from other departments have also been replaced.

Ong’s duties have been handed over to Rieko Shofu, Group CEO of Pokka Corporation (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The latter is concurrently the acting CEO of Pokka International.

In response to SMDN’s queries, a Pokka spokesperson only said that the higher management positions from both Pokka International and Pokka Corporation were being replaced during the internal audit period so as to prevent disruptions to the company operations. The spokesperson also declined to comment on the audit matters as it is ongoing.

However, Pokka confirmed with SMDN that Ong is still an employee of the company even though his work has been taken over by Rieko.

A quick check on Pokka Singapore’s website showed only Rieko on the board of directors:

Pokka partners received letter regarding management change

SMDN further said that a reader supplied the paper with a letter from Pokka addressed to its business partners and supermarkets.

The letter, which was sent on September 19, stated that Rieko was taking over Ong’s duties and that the latter was no longer authorised to represent Pokka Corporation (Singapore) and Pokka International .

8 company personnel suspended

According to SMDN’s investigations, up to eight employees have been suspended and ordered to stay away from company premises during the audit period.

It is unclear who these eight are.

The paper also said that personnel from Pokka’s Japan headquarters arrived in Singapore to commence their audit two weeks ago. A few days later, eight employees were asked to leave the company. The paper’s source also divulged that these eight employees were strictly forbidden from entering the company’s premises without the expressed permission from the upper management.

SMDN added that none of the suspended personnel are Japanese management.

Pokka did not comment on the alleged suspension of the personnel, citing company policy. The company stressed that no investigative organisation is conducting any investigation into the company or its employees.

CEO’s wife has been Pokka ambassador for a decade

Ong’s wife, Mediacorp artiste Vivian Lai, has been Pokka’s ambassador for more than a decade. According to SMDN, Lai reportedly received S$1 million for her endorsement in 2012 – a sum that supposedly exceeded the going rate for veteran Mediacorp artistes.

Lai who is currently 41 years old hosts a slew of popular variety shows on Channel 8. Notably, she’s a co-host of What’s In The Fridge? (冰箱的秘密) which counts Pokka as one of its sponsors.

Her co-host for the show Pornsak is the spokesperson for the Asian Story packaged drinks brand which is also owned by Pokka.

In response to SMDN’s queries about Pokka’s future marketing strategy and possible change in endorsement personality, the Pokka spokesperson said that the company is focusing on maintaining company operations during this period and has not made any decisions on future marketing strategies.

Both Ong and Lai refused to respond to SMDN’s visits and calls.

https://mothership.sg/2018/09/pokka-ceo-alain-ong-hubby-of-pokka-ambassador-vivian-lai-suspended-pending-internal-audit/