Latest news with #TanBoonHeong
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
'Think 99 times!': M'sian badminton icon warns buyers after losing RM285k on luxury dream car
FORMER world No. 1 badminton player Tan Boon Heong has issued a heartfelt warning to fellow car enthusiasts after revealing he lost a staggering RM285,000 on a luxury SUV purchase — his dream car, a 2018 Range Rover Sport. In a candid social media post that quickly gained traction online, Tan opened up about the financial reality behind his RM530,000 splurge, urging others to be cautious before following in his footsteps. ALSO READ: M'sian badminton star Ong Yew Sin proposes to Japan's Aya Ohori in dreamy surprise, wins hearts online 'After driving it for a year, I noticed the car's value wasn't holding up well, so I decided to sell it. But by then, the Land Rover hype had already cooled off. Hoping to recover some of his investment, Tan initially listed the vehicle at RM450,000 — already an RM80,000 drop. He said a few friends expressed interest in buying it, claiming they'd go for it 'even if it's slightly overpriced.' 'One friend said he wanted to buy it — even said he'd pay a bit more. But in the end, he ghosted me. Honestly, just all talk. 'I kept lowering the price — RM375k, RM350k, RM345k — still no buyer,' he recounted. 'Then a follower came along, acted all confident about buying it, and even paid a deposit. I was over the moon... but the loan got rejected because he hadn't been repaying the bank on time. 'Now someone has offered RM245k and paid a deposit. Fingers crossed that the loan gets approved. If not, or if the buyer backs out, I might just keep the car as a vintage collection piece. 'To anyone who's thinking of buying a Land Rover — please think 99 times. You'll lose a lot of money. I'm not joking,' he wrote. 'Even after selling it, I still owe the bank RM140k. But at least I'll be free... and hey, I did fulfil my dream. 'Just... paid a heavy price for it in the end,' his post read. His post sparked a wave of responses online, ranging from criticism to financial advice. Some users accused him of poor money management, while others mocked his choices. In a follow-up post on June 28, Tan fired back with a pointed message. 'Lost money buying a car and people say I can't manage finances. You're so good at managing money — are you rich yet?' he wrote. 'Life is all about experiences. Lose money? Just earn it back. 'Why be so hung up over it?' he asked. 'You can't take your money with you when you're gone anyway. 'To sum it up: You only live once — if you don't enjoy life, what's the point? He wrapped it up with a sharp mic drop: 'You laugh at me for being a fool, I laugh at you for never having driven a Range Rover.
The Star
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Boon Heong won't double hopes of final spot despite big number of men pairs
PETALING JAYA: A large presence in the men's doubles does not guarantee a place in the final. That was the cautionary note from former world No. 1 Tan Boon Heong ahead of the Malaysian Masters starting on Tuesday, with 10 Malaysian men pairs set to compete. While the numbers suggest a strong chance of making the final, recent results tell a different story. At the Malaysian Open in January, for example, Malaysia fielded six men's doubles pairs, but only Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun reached the semi-finals. It was a similar tale at the All-England in March, where hopes were high for the men's doubles squad, yet nearly all exited early. Last year's Malaysian Masters also featured nine local pairs, but it was the unheralded Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King who staged a surprise run to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, higher-seeded pairs such as Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and Wei Chong-Kai Wun bowed out at the quarter-finals. For Boon Heong, the quantity of entries means little without quality performances on court. 'At the Malaysian Open earlier this year, we had six pairs and all lost early. It shows just how open and competitive the men's doubles event is,' he said. 'If Malaysian pairs are well prepared, focused and get some luck in the draw, there's a chance. But it won't be easy. Take Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin for an example, they face the world No. 3 pair Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang in the first round. 'Some top Korean pairs aren't participating this time, so there could be an opening. But even young or scratch pairs from Japan and Korea remain serious threats.' Boon Heong also noted the added pressure of playing at home can sometimes work against players. 'There's definitely stress playing in front of a home crowd. You want to do your best, but that can become pressure and affect your game. ''I've experienced that myself, especially playing in Malaysia. 'My advice is for players to channel that pressure into motivation to raise their level.' This year's Malaysian Masters will also see Malaysia's Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, and Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri in action. An all-Malaysian showdown is expected in the qualifying round, with junior world champions Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing set to face Fazriq Razif and Bryan Jeremy Goonting. The last time Malaysia had representatives in the Malaysian Masters final was in 2019, when Ee Yi-Yew Sin fell to Indonesia's Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo. As for a Malaysian champion, the drought continues, with the last title won 12 years ago by Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in the 2013 edition.
