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Hao Mart & founder sue OG for S$57.5 million
The ongoing dispute has also led to at least 2 other lawsuits.
January 23, 2026, 01:25 PM
Supermarket chain Hao Mart and its founder, Tan Kim Yong, have filed a lawsuit against retail group OG and Adam Nicholas Emilianou, the husband of an OG director and shareholder, seeking S$57.5 million in damages, alleging a deliberate effort to harm their business.
The lawsuit filed on Jan. 16 also alleged that OG blocked a refinancing deal between OCBC and Hao Mart in an attempt to lay claim to the Jervois Hill Good Class Bungalow (GCB) that Tan and his wife, Teo Siew Ling, jointly own.
According to CNA, the plaintiffs are claiming conspiracy to injure by lawful and unlawful means.
The legal fight stems from Hao Mart's lease at 160 Orchard Road, formerly occupied by OG's department store, which was renamed to Taste Orchard after Hao Mart rented the place.
In September 2025, sub-tenants under Hao Mart were told they had to vacate by Dec. 31, shocking many retailers as they faced losses and relocation costs.
GCB loan & mortgage dispute
CNA reported that Hao Mart originally signed the seven-and-a-half year lease with OG in November 2021, commencing in February 2023.
On Aug. 4, 2023, OG extended a S$66.2 million loan to Tan; this resulted in a mortgage on the couple's residential property, a GCB at the combined address of 17 and 19 Jervois Hill.
According to the statement of claim seen by CNA, the plaintiffs believe it was “unusual” for OG to lend to Tan when he was not a party to the Taste Orchard lease.
Alleging that OG and Emilianou, "conspired and combined together wrongfully and with the sole or predominant intention of injuring the claimants and causing loss".
Emilianou is the husband of Hazel Tay, also known as Tay Chia Huan, a director and shareholder of OG.
Refinancing efforts with OCBC
Hao Mart stated that it was working on refinancing the loan with OCBC, which issued a letter of offer for S$57.5 million on Sep. 25, 2025, for the redemption of the GCB mortgage.
The plaintiffs allege that OG was aware of the letter and verbally agreed to allow them time to repay and redeem the mortgage, but later objected and refused to accept the refinancing, creating financial risk and jeopardising the property.
OG sued Hao Mart on Oct. 21, 2025, regarding their tenancy, allegedly failing to pay rent and subletting without approval.
On Oct. 23, Emilianou allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to Hao Mart's corporate financial advisor stating that he had "only asked one thing from Dr Tan" in the past 10 months and gave him time to restructure his business and assets.
"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."
Hao Mart took this alleged message as a "threat" that OG would renege on their oral agreement, stated the Statement of Claim.
OG's objection to refinancing efforts placed Tan and Teo at risk of incurring a cancellation fee for failing to follow through with OCBC's letter of offer.
OG issued a letter of demand and told receivers to take steps to possess the Jervois Hill GCB, actions that would "further injure" the couple.
Conspiracy to injure by unlawful means
Hao Mart also sued for conspiracy to injure by unlawful means, alleging that the defendants wrongfully raised objections to the notice of redemption.
As OG had agreed for the mortgage to be redeemed and the facility agreement to be repaid through financing from the company, Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Corp.
Hao Mart also stated that, besides the damages, OG is improperly seeking to use the powers of the receiver, including the power of sale of the Jervois Hill property.
Hao Mart and Tan are seeking a court order to confirm their right to redeem the mortgage, stop OG from taking or selling the Jervois Hill GCB, and determine the amount owed.
This is so that Hao Mart can pay that amount to discharge the original loan guarantee.
Hao Mart and Tan are represented by Vita Law, while OG is defended by Dentons Rodyk.
According to CNA, Vita Law is also acting for Hao Mart in two related lawsuits, one of which involves PropNex Realty and an agent for alleged misrepresentation over Taste Orchard's lease.
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Top photo from SY/Google Maps and Peifeng/Google Maps.
