SPH

Editor-in-Chief Cheong Yip Seng retires, to be succeeded by Patrick Daniel

Singapore, 12 October 2006 - Mr Cheong Yip Seng, Editor-in-Chief of the English and Malay Newspapers Division (EMND) of Singapore Press Holdings, will retire on 31 December 2006, after 43 years of service, the media group announced today.

He will be succeeded by Mr Patrick Daniel, 52, the current Managing Editor of EMND.

Mr Cheong joined The Straits Times Press on 1 November 1963 as a trainee journalist. He moved up the ranks to be Editor of The New Nation, and later, The Straits Times. He assumed the position of EMND's Editor-in-Chief on 12 January 1987.

Dr Tony Tan, Chairman of SPH, said: "Yip Seng has put in truly sterling service to SPH. Few companies enjoy the privilege of loyal service of this magnitude from a senior executive. On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and all staff, I wish Yip Seng good health and an active retirement.”

Mr Cheong has agreed to serve as an Editorial Advisor to SPH following his retirement. Mr Alan Chan, SPH CEO, said: "We are grateful that Yip Seng has agreed to make available to his colleagues the wealth of experience he has gained in over four decades in journalism."

Looking back at his long career, Mr Cheong said: "Our newspapers, in particular The Straits Times, have given me a most meaningful career. There was never a dull day. I am also privileged to have had over the years many colleagues whose professional skills, resourcefulness, and commitment to journalism have never failed to inspire me. The digital age will bring many challenges to our trade. Patrick and his highly-skilled team are well equipped to face them. I know they will do their very best for our many readers."

Mr Daniel, who has been with SPH for 20 years, has held various appointments with the Group since joining The Straits Times as a Senior Leader/Feature Writer in October 1986. His curriculum vitae is attached with this release.

On his new appointment, Mr Daniel said: "I am really honoured to be entrusted with this challenge. These are exciting times, as we have multiple media channels to exploit — not just print but also online, mobile and radio. We will seize these opportunities, innovate, and aim for new levels of excellence. I'm confident our team will be up to the task and we will continue to serve our audience well."

Mr Chan added: "Patrick is the ideal candidate to succeed Yip Seng, having held various senior editorial positions in the wide stable of English newspapers within the Group. His current positions as Managing Editor and as Director of Tamil Murasu, will put him in good stead to helm the English, Malay and Tamil newsrooms. The transition will be smooth as he is well regarded and has the support of all in the newsrooms."

Juliana Chong
Manager
Corporate Communications
Tel: 6319 1895
Email: julianac@sph.com.sg

Francis Mah
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications
Tel: 6319 1028
Email: mahys@sph.com.sg

Curriculum Vitae of Patrick Daniel
Patrick Daniel, 52, joined Singapore Press Holdings as a Senior Leader/Feature Writer in October 1986. Prior to assuming his current role as Managing Editor of the English and Malay Newspapers Division in September 2002, he was Editor of The Business Times, a position he held for 10 years. He joined the media after a stint in the Singapore Government's Administrative Service, where his last position was Director in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

He graduated from University College, Oxford in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Engineering Sciences and Economics. He also has a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

About Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Main board listed Singapore Press Holdings Limited is the leading media company in Singapore, in the print, Internet and broadcasting platforms. It publishes 14 newspapers in the four official languages, including Singapore's first free Chinese newspaper, My Paper, and over 80 magazine titles. Everyday, 2.7 million individuals, or 83 per cent of the people above 15 years old, read one of the SPH publications. Its Internet Business Unit manages the online editions of SPH's major newspapers, which enjoy over 100 million pageviews from 6 million unique visitors every month. More recent online additions are the classified website, ST701, and STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print), a portal that connects, engages and interacts with readers on the Internet and via mobile messaging.
SPH owns and operates Paragon, the prime shopping and office building in the heart of Orchard Road. Paragon features international brands and luxury goods, restaurants serving wide-ranging cuisines and lifestyle facilities such as spas and a fitness club.
SPH also owns a 20% stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which operates free-to-air channels 5, 8, U and TV Mobile, and a 40% stake in MediaCorp Press Pte Ltd, which publishes free sheet Today. SPH has a 70% stake in SPH UnionWorks, which operates two entertainment radio channels, Radio 100.3 in Chinese and Radio 91.3 in English. In addition, SPH holds an 80% stake in SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, Singapore's largest LED network media company, and a 35% stake in TOM Outdoor Media Group, a leading outdoor advertising company in China.