Mr. Heng is the Founder of Penguin Group and serves as Mentor-at-Large. He started his ferry business in 1972 as a wooden ferryboat operator, shuttling workers between Singapore and the Southern Islands. In January 1976, Mr. Heng incorporated Penguin Boat Services Pte. Ltd. and began building up a fleet of modern high-speed passenger ferries. The Penguin Group went public in Singapore in October 1997 and Mr. Heng was appointed Executive Chairman and Managing Director.
In September 2004, Mr. Heng stepped down as Managing Director as part of a long-term succession planning strategy. He remains as Executive Chairman in accordance with the recommendation of the Code of Corporate Governance, and serves as Mentor- at-Large. He was last re-appointed in April 2005. Today, Mr. Heng is still actively involved in the Group’s operations and business expansion.
As Executive Chairman, Mr. Heng is responsible for, among other matters, exercising control over the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information between Management and the Board, as well as ensuring compliance with the Group’s guidelines on corporate governance.
Mr. Yong Chor Ken, Alex
Managing Director
Mr. Yong was appointed Managing Director in September 2004, as part of the Group’s long-term succession planning strategy. He joined Penguin in September 1997 as Financial Controller. He was promoted to Finance Director in March 2001, and Managing Director in September 2004.
Before joining the Group, Mr. Yong was the Accounting Manager of a major multi-national corporation overseeing international systems and controls. His prior experience included working as an auditor in one of the then-Big Eight accounting firms.
Mr. Yong is a fellowship member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Cheng Yee Seng
Executive Director
Mr. Cheng was appointed to the Board in September 1997 and last re-appointed in April 2006. He is a member of the Nominating Committee. Mr. Cheng has more than 20 years experience working in the areas of investment, mergers and acquisitions, administration, finance, company secretarial work, contracts and legal matters. Currently, Mr. Cheng is focused on leading the Group’s strategic planning, business development and corporate matters. Mr. Cheng is a fellowship member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree from the University of London and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Ong Kian Min
Independent Director
Mr. Ong was appointed to the Board in September 1997 and last re-appointed in April 2005. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee, a position he has held since October 1997. He is also a member of the Remuneration and Nominating Committees.
Mr. Ong works as an Advocate and Solicitor, and consults with Drew & Napier LLC, a leading Singapore law firm. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1988 and to the Singapore Bar the following year.
Mr. Ong has been a Member of Parliament of Singapore since January 1997, and serves as Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport and a member of the GPC for Finance, Trade and Industry. Currently, Mr. Ong also serves on the Board of several Singapore-listed companies, including ASA Group Holdings Limited, OSIM International Limited and Senoko Power Limted.
Mr. Ong was awarded the President Scholarship and Police Force Scholarship in 1979. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) external degree from the University of London and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in England.
Mr. Koo Ah Seang
Independent Director
Mr. Koo was appointed to the Board in September 1997 and last re-appointed in April 2006. He is Chairman of the Remuneration and Nominating Committees and a member of the Audit Committee.
Mr. Koo is currently the Chief Executive Officer of China EnerSave Limited, a SESDAQ-listed renewable energy group. He is responsible for the overall business development of the EnerSave Group and is focused on formulating and implementing the Group’s operations towards internationalisation. He has successfully restructured the Group’s business and has spearheaded the Group’s foray into the renewable energy business in China.
Mr. Koo graduated from the University of Auckland (New Zealand) with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He is an FCPA member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore.
Mr. Wong Ngiam Jih
Independent Director
Mr Wong was appointed to the Board in May 2006. He is a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nominating Committees. Mr. Wong is the General Manager (Finance) of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd and director of a number of companies in the Keppel Group, including Keppel Singmarine Pte. Ltd., Keppel Smit Towage Pte. Ltd., Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc., Keppel Cebu Shipyard, Inc. and Subic Shipyard & Engineering Inc. He has been involved in financial matters for more than 30 years.
Mr. Wong holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the National University of Singapore.
Ms. Tung May Fong, Joanna
Finance and Administration Director
Ms. Tung is responsible for the Group’s accounting and finance, IT and human resources activities.
Prior to joining the Group, she had worked as an accountant in a broad range of industries, including electronics and transportation. She was also regional internal auditor at a major Japanese MNC.
Ms. Tung joined the Group in 2000, and her duties and responsibilities have since been expanded to include management of the Group’s accounting and finance activities, as well as corporate reporting and related Group administration.
Ms. Tung is a member of the Certified Public Accountants of ICPAS Singapore and holds an ACCA professional qualification.
