Singapore, 24 November 2006 - The Chinese Appellate Court has dismissed Ching Cheong’s appeal against his sentence.

"We are disappointed that Ching Cheong’s appeal has been unsuccessful. As he is still not in the best of health, we appeal to the Chinese authorities to show him leniency and compassion while he is serving his sentence.
"We will continue to provide all necessary support and assistance to him and his family."

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Co. Regn. No: 198402868E

For more information, please contact:

Francis Mah
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications
DID : (65) 6319 1028
Fax : (65) 6319 8150
Email : mahys@sph.com.sg

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 90 titles from lifestyle magazines to IT media publications. 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.