Latest news with #Ong
New Paper
a day ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Ong's first and last stab at Penang races
Jason Ong will have his first runners in Penang on May 31, but they will also be his last. That new milestone for the two-time Singapore champion trainer begins and ends so quickly, simply because the Penang Turf Club will be staging its last meeting in 162 years of existence on that day. Low turnover and attendances have forced the second of the original four Malayan Racing Association clubs to close doors after the Singapore Turf Club on Oct 5. Ong, who has never set foot at the Batu Gantong track but did visit Penang as the typical Singaporean tourist in search of its famous street food, said he could not possibly let this last chance of saddling a runner there go begging. "I've been to Penang but not its races. It'll be nice to be there," said Ong. "There's nothing to celebrate, obviously, but I can now say I had a runner there before it closes." After relocating to Kuala Lumpur in November, the 37-year-old handler has not taken long to bring his Singapore dominance up north. With his powerful Kranji squad more or less moving wholesale, his haul of two to three winners a week have already become part of the Sungai Besi landscape. Ong is already well clear at the top on 41 wins, including two at his only Ipoh visit on March 30. Penang was always on his radar, but opportunities were rare, with only one meeting (March 8) held after so many cancellations. The end was nigh and, when the club announced it was curtains, Ong circled its final day in red. Of particular interest is the highlight, the RM250,000 (S$76,000) Penang Turf Club Farewell Trophy, which, unlike the Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2,000m) deliberately run as Singapore's very last race, is slated as the penultimate event on the seven-race programme. The 1,300m trip of the Special Rapid Stakes A made Ong wince, but he would still press on with his first choice - Pacific Vampire. Ironically, the noted speedster also ran in the Singapore Gold Cup but was a spent force 500m out before floundering to last place. While Ong would have preferred 1,200m, he is convinced the Impending five-year-old will not raise the white flag so early this time. "Vampire is the best horse in my barn. He was my logical choice for the race," he said. "The 1,300m is a question mark as all his wins (four in Kranji and two in Kuala Lumpur) have not been beyond 1,200m, but he has matured a lot here. "He needed two or three runs to get right, but we saw how he relaxed better in his last two wins. "I think he can see out the 1,300m, but of course, we don't know how he'll handle the travelling and the different track. "Penang doesn't look much different from KL. He'll be right." Pacific Vampire jumps from the inside alley with Jerlyn Seow up. If he and three stablemates come up short, Ong has one last bullet in the actual Penang swansong. Pacific Padrino, who is also first emergency in the Farewell Trophy, is in the last race, another Special Rapid Stakes A over 1,300m. manyan@
Singapore Law Watch
a day ago
- Singapore Law Watch
S'pore has no jurisdiction over Audrey Fang case, can't prosecute suspect if he's deported: MHA
S'pore has no jurisdiction over Audrey Fang case, can't prosecute suspect if he's deported: MHA Source: Straits Times Article Date: 30 May 2025 Author: Aqil Hamzah & Samuel Devaraj The Ministry of Home Affairs said on May 29 that it has communicated its position to its Spanish counterparts, and that the Singapore Government would assist them within the ambit of Singapore's laws. As the fatal stabbing of Singaporean Audrey Fang took place in Spain, Singapore has no jurisdiction over the alleged murder, and thus would not be able to investigate or prosecute Singaporean suspect Mitchell Ong if he were to be deported. This follows the news on May 28 that an attempt to deport the 44-year-old by Spanish immigration authorities had been rejected by a Spanish court. In response to queries, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on May 29 that it has communicated its position to its Spanish counterparts, and that the Singapore Government would assist them within the ambit of Singapore's laws. Law enforcement agencies there, meanwhile, have told the ministry that they are currently prosecuting Ong in Spain. News of the deportation request being blocked was first reported by Spanish daily La Opinion de Murcia on May 28. The deportation request was made by Spain's General Commissariat for Aliens and Borders, a national police agency that manages immigration and border control matters, and was supported by the lawyer representing Ms Fang's family. However, a judge ruled that Ong did not meet the criteria outlined in Spain's laws pertaining to the expulsion of foreigners, one of which states that immediate deportation can take place if an individual has been charged with a crime and is given a jail sentence of fewer than six years, or is given an alternate sentence, such as a fine. As the minimum jail sentence for Ong's potential murder charge is 15 years, the former insurance agent does not meet this criterion. Ong's lawyer, Ms Maria Jesus Ruiz de Castaneda, had told The Straits Times earlier in May that she is opposing the request. The Spanish immigration authority had also requested that Ong be banned from returning to Spain for 10 years, if the deportation had gone through. Ms Ruiz de Castaneda had earlier told Spanish media that an expulsion would be a violation of the rule of law and international treaties Spain has signed and ratified. 'He is involved in ongoing criminal proceedings in Spain, where he must be tried with due process,' she said. 'Expulsion would be contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights, the principle of non-refoulement and Spain's commitments against the death penalty.' She had previously called for the case to be dismissed, saying that all necessary evidence had to be examined and that Ong 'firmly and consistently' insisted he did not kill Ms Fang. Ms Fang, a 39-year-old architect, was found dead near a parking space for lorries in the town of Abanilla on April 10, 2024. She left Singapore on April 4 to travel alone to Xabia in the Valencia region of Spain, and was supposed to return eight days later, but became uncontactable on April 10. Her body was found with knife wounds and head trauma. Ong was arrested six days later. Testimonies from two of Ms Fang's friends on June 26, 2024, said Ms Fang and Ong had met on a social dating network. Her family's lawyer said she had told her friends she was meeting Ong during her holiday in Spain. In March, La Opinion reported that DNA from two men was found on her clothes, raising the possibility that more than one person was involved in her death. Ong, meanwhile, was also found to have been nominated as the sole beneficiary of Ms Fang's Central Provident Fund savings, with the accounts reportedly containing about $498,000. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Scrabble buffs square off in Penang showdown
DRAWING the Q, X or Z tiles in a game of Scrabble is a blessing, if you are a maestro at it. These rare tiles can help you form words that rake in high scores in this generations-old game first created in 1938. To help you score seven-letter bingos, use special websites and apps to make your mind adept at playing with anagrams. These and many more tips came from Scrabble buffs at the Penang Open Scrabble Tournament here. Out of 465 participants, 200 made it into the grand finals in the primary and secondary school categories and the open category. 'Of the rare tiles, my favourite is Z. It is a more versatile letter and you can make more words with it compared with others like Q or X,' said Leon Ng, 18. That said, his proudest Scrabble move came when he scored a whopping 307 points with the word 'bouquets'. 'I love Scrabble. I've played thousands of rounds online over many hours for the past six years, with people from all over the world. 'It is more than just a game, it's a way for me to connect with others and, at the same time, challenge myself,' said Leon, a finalist in the open category this year after dominating the tournament in the secondary school category last year. He honed his skills by using online tools, word study apps, and Scrabble quizzes. (From left) Malaysia Scrabble Association acting president Mohammad Ali Ismail, Penang Scrabble Club former president Tan Khee Chiang, Ong, Jagdeep, Penang STEM chief executive officer Datuk Chung Chok Yin, Flextronics learning and development manager Sanjeet Mohan, PSDC senior technologist Tham Kok Kee and CKC representative Cheong Vi Hua after the tournament opening. His personal best was a score of 740 points in official tournaments while online, he once raked in 900 points. Another seasoned player, retiree Ng Chee Eng, 64, sees the game as the perfect mental workout. 'It keeps my mind alert. Scrabble isn't just for the young,' he added. Held at the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) Bayan Lepas, the two-day grand final was organised by the Penang Math Platform (PMP) with support from Malaysia Scrabble Association (MSA). Event sponsors were CKC Food Industries Sdn Bhd and Flextronics Technology Penang that contributed RM11,000 to cover prizes, meals, workshops and logistical costs. PMP general manager Johnny Ong said the tournament grew significantly even with it just in its second year. 'Last year, we had 340 participants. This year, we have 465,' he said. Ong said players from Sabah, Pahang, Melaka, Selangor and Perak took part in the finals too. More than just a battle of vocabulary, the tournament reflected Penang's unique approach of blending language mastery with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the pursuit of a future-ready generation. Winners walked away with cash prizes, trophies and medals. Ong said the MSA confirmed a new national participation record in this year's tournament. He said the event highlighted Penang's broader vision of leveraging education to drive future economic growth. 'Penang STEM, a state-level initiative, has been instrumental in providing synergistic support for students through platforms like the PMP, Tech Dome Penang and Penang Science Cluster. 'Together, these centres have delivered hundreds of STEM-related programmes reaching hundreds of thousands of students and educators nationwide,' he said. Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, who launched the tournament, said English proficiency was critical for students as it was the global language of STEM. 'This aligns with recent calls from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to strengthen English language proficiency in schools,' he said. 'The state government continues to champion education as a core pillar of its Penang2030 vision to become a family-focused, green and smart state. 'Events like this tournament not only inspire young minds but also reflect the state's commitment to preparing its youth for careers in key industries such as electronics, aerospace, medical technology, and food innovation.' Scrabble was invented by Alfred Mosher Butts, an American architect who loved word games. The game gained popularity after entrepreneur James Brunot bought the rights in the late 1940s and made minor changes. In the early 1950s, Scrabble became a household name.
New Paper
2 days ago
- New Paper
Audrey Fang case: Spanish judge blocks suspect's deportation to S'pore over death penalty concerns
An attempt by Spanish immigration authorities to deport Mitchell Ong, the suspect in the fatal stabbing of fellow Singaporean Audrey Fang in Spain, was blocked by a local court over death penalty concerns. As such, it is unlikely for the 44-year-old to face the death penalty if charged with murder, as a murder charge in Spain carries a jail sentence ranging from 15 years to 25 years. News of the deportation request being blocked was first reported by Spanish daily La Opinion de Murcia on May 28. The deportation request was made by Spain's General Commissariat for Aliens and Borders, a national police agency that manages immigration and border control matters, and was supported by the lawyer representing Ms Fang's family. However, a judge ruled that Ong did not meet the criteria outlined in Spain's laws pertaining to the expulsion of foreigners, one of which states that immediate deportation can take place if an individual has been charged with a crime and is given a jail sentence of fewer than six years, or given an alternate sentencing, such as a fine. As the minimum jail sentence for Ong's potential murder charge is 15 years, he does not meet this criterion. Ong's lawyer, Ms Maria Jesus Ruiz de Castaneda, had told The Straits Times earlier in May that she is opposing the request. If the deportation had gone through, the Spanish immigration authority had also requested that Ong be banned from returning to Spain for 10 years. Ms Ruiz de Castaneda had also earlier told Spanish media that an expulsion would be a violation of the rule of law and international treaties Spain has signed and ratified. "He is involved in ongoing criminal proceedings in Spain, where he must be tried with due process," she said. "Expulsion would be contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights, the principle of non-refoulement and Spain's commitments against the death penalty." She had previously called for the case to be dismissed, saying all necessary evidence had to be examined and that Ong "firmly and consistently" insisted he did not kill Ms Fang. The 39-year-old architect was found dead near a parking lot for lorries in the town of Abanilla on April 10, 2024. She left Singapore on April 4 to travel alone to Xabia in the Valencia region of Spain, and was supposed to return eight days later, but became uncontactable on April 10. Her body was found with knife wounds and head trauma. Ong was arrested six days later. Testimonies from two of Ms Fang's friends on June 26, 2024, said that Ms Fang and Ong had met on a social dating network, with her family's lawyer saying that she had told her friends she was meeting the former insurance agent during her holiday in Spain. In March, La Opinion reported that DNA from two men was found on her clothes, raising the possibility that more than one person was involved in her death. Ong meanwhile was also found to have been nominated as the sole beneficiary of Ms Fang's Central Provident Fund savings, with the accounts reportedly containing about $498,000. ST has contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs for comment.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
OSK, EPF JV in Melbourne sees strong sales
KUALA LUMPUR: OSK Holdings Bhd reported a 67 per cent take-up rate for Phase 2 of BLVD, a high-rise residential tower in Melbourne Square (MSQ), developed in partnership with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Sales efforts for Phase 1 are ongoing, while profits from Phase 2 are expected upon handover in early 2027. OSK, in its corporate results statement, said its property development division continues to be a key growth driver, with upcoming launches progressing as planned. The group remains focused on hitting construction milestones and controlling costs to ensure timely delivery and sustained profitability. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q1 2025), OSK posted a 9 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to RM400.6 million. Pre-tax profit remained steady at RM140 million, supported by its diversified business portfolio. Group executive chairman Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat noted that the group's diversified model has enabled it to sustain earnings despite ongoing economic challenges. The property segment contributed RM188.5 million in revenue and RM31.2 million in pre-tax profit, down from RM204.7 million and RM36.9 million, respectively, in Q1 2024, mainly due to the absence of a high-margin project. As of March 31, 2025, unbilled sales stood at RM1.2 billion, reflecting strong demand and a low level of unsold completed units. OSK's land landbank totals 2,083 acres, with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM17.7 billion across key locations in the Klang Valley, Kedah, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and Melbourne. The property investment division continues to deliver consistent income from its office and retail leasing portfolio. Meanwhile, the hospitality segment posted RM23.4 million in revenue for Q1 2025, with a pre-tax loss of RM1.5 million, compared to RM24 million in revenue and a RM0.7 million loss a year earlier. The wider loss was attributed to refurbishment works at Swiss-Garden Beach Resort Kuantan, which temporarily impacted F&B and event revenues. The Phase 2 refurbishment is expected to be completed in Q2 2025, aimed at enhancing guest experiences and expanding event capabilities. Recently rebranded hotels, DoubleTree by Hilton Damai Laut Resort and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru, are also expected to strengthen their market positions in the hospitality sector. Ong noted that Malaysia's tourism outlook is upbeat, supported by extended visa-free travel for Chinese and Indian tourists until December 2026, which is expected to drive growth in both leisure and business travel. "With the strength of our diversified portfolio, we are confident of delivering satisfactory results for the remainder of 2025," he said.
