MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Linda Tan is safe and back at Camp 2
Though unable to reach the peak, having gone that far in the expedition is already an accomplishment in itself.

Singapore, 28 May 2008: 28-year-old Linda Tan, a Great Eastern life planner, embarked on what could be her life’s greatest journey to Mount Everest on 1 April. Despite being diagnosed with a chest infection amidst countless physical and emotional challenges, she pressed on and made it to Camp 4 (8,000 metres above sea level). She had enough oxygen for only one attempt at the summit on 25 May. Unfortunately, she was unable to reach the peak and headed back to Camp 4. She has since descended to Camp 2 (6,200 metres).

Tay Chee Meng, a close friend of Linda who has been in contact with her throughout the expedition, said, “Linda’s probably feeling disappointed that she was unable to complete the ascent to the peak of Mount Everest. After all, she had spent the past five years training very hard to prepare for this expedition and it was a dream come true to be able to scale Mount Everest.

“However, as both her friend and a Singaporean, I am very proud of her achievement – she’s the first Singaporean woman to attempt to conquer the mountain on her own and managed to make it to Camp 4. Spending three nights at Camp 4 is already a feat in itself. Knowing how much she had gone through, from the delay with the Chinese Olympic torch team’s climb to her recuperation from a chest infection, I’m relieved that she has stayed safe during the journey and can’t wait for her to be back.”

Upon receiving news on the conclusion of Linda’s expedition, Tan Hak Leh, Great Eastern’s Managing Director (Singapore), commented, “We are very proud of Linda who has done her best to scale to heights that many would not even dare to think about. What is most important is that Linda is safe. We will always admire her for her tenacity and drive. Great Eastern is glad to have supported Linda in her quest to conquer Everest. We are sure that this experience has enriched her and will pave the way for more great journeys.”

Looking back at Linda’s great journey on Mount Everest
Linda started trekking to the Mount Everest Base Camp, 5,000 metres above sea level, from 1 April. After reaching Base Camp about eight days later, she attempted to move on to Camp 1 but had to return to Base Camp on 20 April for further acclimatisation.

During the period, SummitClimb – the UK-based operator of Linda’s expedition – was informed that the group would not be able to move beyond Camp 2 until 10 May, or after the Olympic torch team had reached the summit. This caused a delay as she had expected to start preparing for a push to the summit by 10 May.

In end April, she was diagnosed with a chest infection at Base Camp and had to descend to an intermediate altitude in Pangboche (about 3,900 metres above sea level). After taking antibiotics and resting for four nights, she made a slow journey back to Base Camp. By the time the Olympic torch team reached the summit on 8 May, she felt well-rested and was raring to go.

Despite coughing badly and having to undergo a long and arduous journey from Camp 2 to Camp 3 and 4, she remained positive and took her time to move upwards safely – she spent more than 10 hours to reach Camp 4 from Camp 3, longer than expected under good physical and environmental conditions. In preparation for her summit of Mount Everest, she decided to rest for a day at Camp 4 – using oxygen which she was carrying, thus leaving her with enough oxygen for only one attempt to reach the peak.

She set off from Camp 4 for the summit on the night of 25 May. However, she was unable to reach the peak and turned back. She subsequently descended to Camp 2 on 27 May.

Welcoming Linda back to Singapore
Linda is expected to return to Singapore in the first week of June. Great Eastern will continue to provide updates from Linda via http://www.lifeisgreat.com.sg/en/jsp/img/mm/splash_100years/ conqueringeverest/index.htm.

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Great Eastern Celebrates its Centennial

For 100 years, we have grown with you.
Thank you for your trust and support.
As we journey into the next 100 years and beyond, we remain dedicated to making life great with financial security, good health and meaningful relationships.

Founded on 26 August 1908, Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd has the distinction of being the oldest and most established life insurance company in Singapore and Malaysia.

In November 1999, Great Eastern Holdings Ltd was incorporated and became the holding company of Great Eastern Life. Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd, incorporated in 1920 as the first composite insurer in Singapore, merged with Great Eastern Holdings in December 2000.

Today, Great Eastern is the largest insurance group and the market leader in Singapore and Malaysia, with $46 billion in assets and 3 million policyholders, and with two successful distribution channels - the tied agency force and bancassurance. The Company also operates in China, Indonesia and Brunei. It will be starting operations in Vietnam by the middle of the year.

Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC Bank, Singapore’s longest established bank with assets of $180 billion and a network of over 460 branches and representative offices in 15 countries and territories. Great Eastern’s subsidiary, Lion Global Investors Ltd, is one of the largest asset management companies in Southeast Asia.

Website: www.lifeisgreat.com.sg

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Lim
AVP (Corporate Communications)
Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd
Tel: 6248 2103
Email: margaretlim@lifeisgreat.com.sg

or

Charmaine Lim
Assistant Corporate Communications Manager
Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd
Tel: 6248 2547
Email: charmainelimzy@lifeisgreat.com.sg