Supermarket operator Hao Mart and its founder, Dr Tan Kim Yong, have filed a lawsuit against department store group OG and an individual, alleging a conspiracy that caused serious financial loss and damage to their business.
The suit was filed on Jan 16 and also names Dr Tan’s wife, Madam Teo Siew Ling, as a claimant. Dr Tan and Mdm Teo jointly own a Good Class Bungalow at Jervois Hill, which is a key part of the legal dispute.
According to the statement of claim, the plaintiffs are seeking S$57.5 million in damages from OG and Mr Adam Nicholas Emilianou. Mr. Emilianou is the husband of Ms. Hazel Tay, also known as Tay Chia Huan, Mrs. Hazel Emilianou, who is a director and shareholder of OG. The plaintiffs are alleging conspiracy to injure by both lawful and unlawful means.
Lease dispute linked to Orchard Road property
The dispute stems from Hao Mart’s lease of retail space at 160 Orchard Road, which was previously occupied by OG’s department store. After Hao Mart took over the premises, the building was renamed Taste Orchard.
Hao Mart entered into a lease agreement with OG in November 2021 for a term of seven and a half years, with the lease originally scheduled to start in February 2023. The lease terms were amended several times due to issues that arose later.
By September last year, sub-tenants at Taste Orchard were suddenly informed that they had to vacate the premises by Dec 31. Several sub-tenants later told CNA they were shocked by the notice and planned to seek compensation from Hao Mart for losses they suffered.
Loan and mortgage at the centre of the claim
On Aug 4, 2023, OG entered into a facility agreement with Dr Tan, extending a S$66.2 million loan, even though Dr Tan was not a party to the lease agreement. The loan resulted in a mortgage being placed on the couple’s Good Class Bungalow at 17 and 19 Jervois Hill.
The plaintiffs said it was unusual for OG to extend such a loan. They alleged that OG and Mr Emilianou “conspired and combined together wrongfully and with the sole or predominant intention of injuring the claimants and causing loss”.
They added that the defendants’ motivation was “wholly unreasonable and unjustified”.
Alleged threats and objections to refinancing
The plaintiffs said they had kept OG informed about refinancing efforts, including with OCBC, and that OG was aware a letter of offer had been issued on Sep 25, 2025, for a S$57.5 million loan to redeem the mortgage. Despite this, OG later changed its position and sued Hao Mart on Oct 21, 2025, over the Taste Orchard tenancy.
Two days later, Mr Emilianou allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to a financial advisor engaged by Hao Mart, stating: “The fact that he is unable to reciprocate on our request suggests there is no cooperation. If this is the path you wish to take, please don’t expect any return.”
The plaintiffs said they understood the request to mean that Hao Mart should not contest OG’s lawsuit. They described this as a “threat”. OG later objected to the mortgage redemption, issued a letter of demand, and instructed receivers to take steps towards taking possession of the Jervois Hill property.
Apart from damages, the plaintiffs are also seeking court orders to confirm their right to redeem the mortgage and to stop OG from selling the property.
