logo
Cathay Cineplexes gets fresh payment demands of over S$3.3 million for Century Square, Causeway Point outlets

Cathay Cineplexes gets fresh payment demands of over S$3.3 million for Century Square, Causeway Point outlets

Business Times16-07-2025
[SINGAPORE] Embattled cinema chain Cathay Cineplexes has received more repayment demands of over S$3.3 million in rent arrears and other amounts, owed to the landlords of its outlets at Century Square and Causeway Point.
This includes two statutory demands received on Tuesday (Jul 15), for the payment of S$86,142.31 and S$643,064.36, respectively, owed for the lease of its Century Square outlet.
It also received a statutory demand on the same day, for the sum of S$2.6 million, owed for the lease of its Causeway Point outlet, said its parent company mm2 Asia in a bourse filing on Wednesday.
Cathay Cineplexes has three weeks – by Aug 5 – to pay the full amount, or secure or compound the above sums to the reasonable satisfaction of the landlord, Frasers Centrepoint Trust.
If the cinema chain fails to comply, it shall be deemed to be unable to pay its debts under the provisions of the Singapore Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act, the company said.
Media company mm2 and the Cathay Cineplexes board said they are seeking legal advice regarding the abovementioned matters, and intend to engage with Frasers to explore all available options.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign Up
Sign Up
This announcement comes shortly after the company received a statutory demand of S$7.6 million from Linkwasha Holdings on Jul 9.
The amount owed was related to a loan that Linkwasha extended to mm2, to partially finance the latter's acquisition of the cinema chain from Cathay Organisation.
Linkwasha, which was a related entity of Cathay Organisation, extended a loan of S$30 million to mm2, for the acquisition worth S$230 million.
As at the date of the statutory demand, mm2 said it had repaid the majority of the loan, with a remaining outstanding amount of S$7.6 million including interests.
On Jul 2, the cinema chain also received a statutory demand from the landlords of its shuttered outlet at Jem shopping mall, asking that it pay up arrears of around S$3.4 million before the end of the month.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Operator of Cathay Cineplexes announces boardroom changes, gets more payment demands from landlords
Operator of Cathay Cineplexes announces boardroom changes, gets more payment demands from landlords

CNA

time3 days ago

  • CNA

Operator of Cathay Cineplexes announces boardroom changes, gets more payment demands from landlords

SINGAPORE: The owner and operator of Cathay Cineplexes, mm2 Asia, announced late on Tuesday (Jul 29) several boardroom changes, including the departure of CEO Chang Long Jong. In a bourse filing on the Singapore Exchange at about 11pm on Tuesday, mm2 said Mr Chang will be retiring on Sep 1 and that company founder Melvin Ang will assume interim CEO responsibilities during the search for a permanent CEO. Mr Chang has been the CEO of mm2 since April 2017. He was "instrumental in expanding mm2's footprint in the regional entertainment industry", said the company in a press release, while thanking him for his leadership. It also announced that Mr Ang Chiang Meng will be joining as Chief Restructuring Officer from Aug 1. He is the co-founder and managing partner of Argile Partners, a regional consultancy firm, and executive director of R&O Company, specialising in corporate and debt restructuring. This move was taken "in view of the current cinema-related creditor negotiations and prolonged financial challenges stemming from the pandemic", mm2 said. "With decades of cross-border experience spanning Singapore, greater China, Southeast Asia, and offshore financial hubs, he is uniquely qualified to lead mm2's debt management and operational reorganisation," the company said. "His credentials as a senior accredited director, chartered valuer, and restructuring expert will be pivotal in this transition." PAYMENT DEMANDS In another bourse filing, mm2 said that Cathay Cineplexes had received a letter of demand for S$577,235.58 (US$449,000) from Resorts Concept, the licensor of its cinema units at E!Hub@Downtown East. The sum covers licence fees, service charges, utilities, interest and other charges, the company said. Cathay is actively engaging with Resorts Concept to "negotiate and resolve issues related to the arrears", it said. Cathay on Monday also received a claim over its cinema premises at Jem shopping centre. The claim was filed by solicitors acting for Lendlease Retail Investments 3 in the High Court. It was the previous REIT manager for the lease of the premises at Jem, which has since changed to DBS Trustee Limited, as a trustee of Lendlease Global Commercial REIT. This claim includes outstanding rental fees up to Mar 31, 2022, of more than S$1.98 million and interest amounting to about S$1.66 million as of Jul 25 this year. The Cathay cinema at Jem was closed on Mar 27 after it received a notice of termination from DBS Trustee Limited. The company had received a statutory demand for S$3.4 million on Jul 2. It was asked to pay the sum or to secure or compound the sum to the landlord's reasonable satisfaction by Jul 22. In February, mm2 revealed that it had received letters of demand from the landlords of its Century Square and Causeway Point cinemas for S$2.7 million that it owed in rent and other costs. The amount owed is now more than S$3 million. OTHER LEADERSHIP CHANGES Mr Gary Goh has been appointed managing director of mm2 Entertainment, succeeding Mr Ng Say Yong, who will become chief content adviser to focus on content development. Mr Goh is a seasoned film producer who has been with the group since 2014, mm2 said. "His promotion reflects the board's confidence in his ability to steer mm2 through this challenging period and a much-needed injection of fresh resources and expertise," it added. The company said earlier in July that it is mulling several options, including winding up its cinema business, as it struggles with millions of dollars of debt.

Owen earns Australia squad spots for South Africa short-format series
Owen earns Australia squad spots for South Africa short-format series

Straits Times

time3 days ago

  • Straits Times

Owen earns Australia squad spots for South Africa short-format series

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SYDNEY - Mitch Owen has been rewarded for his fine form in his first five Twenty20 internationals by being named in both of Australia's squads for short-format series against South Africa in the far north of the country next month. The 23-year-old all-rounder, who has yet to play a one-day international, scored 125 runs and took two wickets as Australia swept West Indies in all five T20s in the Caribbean this month. Mitch Marsh captains both T20 and ODI squads in the absence of regular 50-overs skipper Pat Cummins, who will sit out the series with fellow quick Mitch Starc. Paceman Josh Hazlewood and batter Travis Head return to both squads as Australia continue their preparations for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have both retired from ODIs but the latter was named in the T20 squad, which will face South Africa in two matches in Darwin and another in Cairns. "As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive," said chief selector George Bailey. "The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Japan issues tsunami warning after 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes off Russia Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Business MAS keeps Singapore dollar policy unchanged amid US tariff risks to economy Singapore Singapore prepared to recognise State of Palestine in principle; goal is to reach peace, 2-state solution Business Cathay Cineplexes ropes in restructuring specialist as more payment demands pile up Opinion Nobel Prize? Maybe not, but give Asean credit for Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire Asia Fragile Cambodia-Thailand truce faces challenges on day one Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Wicketkeeper Alex Carey and top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne were included in the ODI squad only, along with fast bowlers Xavier Bartlett and Lance Morris. The ODI series takes place after the completion of the T20s, kicking off in Cairns with the last two matches at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. T20 Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa REUTERS

Cathay Cineplexes ropes in restructuring specialist as more payment demands pile up
Cathay Cineplexes ropes in restructuring specialist as more payment demands pile up

Straits Times

time3 days ago

  • Straits Times

Cathay Cineplexes ropes in restructuring specialist as more payment demands pile up

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Cathay Cineplexes' parent company mm2 Asia also announced key changes to board and leadership team. SINGAPORE - Cathay Cineplexes has received additional letters concerning outstanding rent, its parent company mm2 Asia announced in bourse filings on July 29, alongside key changes to its board and leadership team. This follows an earlier update on July 17, when the entertainment group said it was evaluating all available options to address its financial challenges including the possible winding up of the cinema chain. In its latest statement, mm2 Asia informed shareholders that Cathay Cineplexes (CCPL) received a legal claim on July 28. The claim, dated July 25, was filed in the High Court of Singapore by Lendlease Retail Investments, the former real estate investment trust (Reit) manager for CCPL's cinema lease at Jem. That role has since been assumed by DBS Trustee acting in its capacity as trustee of Lendlease Global Commercial Reit. The claim relates to outstanding rental and other payments owed by CCPL under its lease at Jem, incurred before the change in Reit manager. According to the filing, the claimant is seeking payment of $1.98 million in rent up to March 31, 2022. In addition, the claimant is asking for interest on the overdue amounts at a contractual rate of 1 per cent per month, calculated daily, amounting to $1.66 million as at Jul 25. The claim also includes legal costs and any other relief the court deems appropriate. Additionally, CCPL has received a letter of demand dated July 29 from Resorts Concept, the licensor of its premises at E!Hub@Downtown East. The letter demands payment of licence fees, service charges, utilities, interest and related charges totalling $580,000. The board of CCPL said it is actively engaged in discussions with Resorts Concept to resolve the outstanding arrears. It is understood that CCPL is currently obtaining legal advice on both matters. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business MAS keeps Singapore dollar policy unchanged amid US tariff risks to economy World Tsunami hits Russia's Far East after powerful earthquake; Japan on alert Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Business No clarity yet on baseline or pharmaceutical tariffs with US: DPM Gan Opinion Nobel Prize? Maybe not, but give Asean credit for Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire Asia Fragile Cambodia-Thailand truce faces challenges on day one Singapore Facts and myths intersect at the National Museum's new glass rotunda installation Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from alleged scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates mm2 said it is also seeking its own legal advice in relation to the matters and will make further announcements as and when there are material developments. New leadership team Separately, mm2 announced key changes to its board and leadership team following a series of resignations, retirement and new appointments. It said these changes reinforce its 'commitment to strategic financial and operational restructuring to safeguard its future'. In view of the current cinema-related creditor negotiations and prolonged financial challenges stemming from the pandemic, mm2 is strengthening its management team and bringing Ang Chiang Meng on board as chief restructuring officer as of Aug 1. He will also join the mm2 board as a non-independent executive director. Mr Ang is co-founder and managing partner of Argile Partners, a regional consultancy firm, and executive director of R&O Company, specialising in corporate and debt restructuring. mm2 said he is 'uniquely qualified' to lead mm2's debt management and operational reorganisation with decades of cross-border experience. 'His credentials as a senior accredited director, chartered valuer and restructuring expert will be pivotal in this transition,' it added. At the same time, Chang Long Jong, mm2's current chief executive officer since April 2017, will retire on Sept 1. The former MediaCorp deputy CEO played a key role in expanding mm2 Asia's footprint in the regional entertainment industry. Executive chairman Melvin Ang will assume interim CEO responsibilities while the board conducts a formal search for a permanent successor. Meanwhile, Jack Chia will resign as a non-executive and non-independent director of the company effective July 31, and will also cease to be a member of the audit committee following his departure. Gary Goh has been appointed managing director of mm2 Entertainment, succeeding chief content officer Ng Say Yong, who will step down from his current role on Aug 31. Mr Ng will transition to the role of chief content adviser, where he will focus on content development. Following these changes, mm2's board of directors will comprise Melvin Ang as executive chairman, Ang Chiang Meng as executive director, Lai Hock Meng as lead independent director, Tan Khee Giap and Tan Ching Yee as independent directors, and Choo Kee Siong as a non-executive director.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store