Vivian Lai Breaks Silence On Case Involving Husband, Former Pokka CEO Alain Ong

Vivian Lai has broken her silence about the case involving her husband former Pokka CEO Alain Ong and the beverage giant.

Last September, Alain made headlines when he was suspended from his duties following a higher management shake up that raised more questions than answers for the public. Vivian also lost her decade-long endorsement with the beverage company after the scandal.

Yesterday (Aug 29), nearly a year after the news broke, it was reported that Pokka is suing Alain for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy which led to the company suffering at least $10mil in losses.

According to 8World, Alain had clarified through a lawyer last night that he was only called up to assist with the case, and that he was not the target of investigation.

In an interview with 8World released today (Aug 30), a despondent Vivian spoke about her husband's case for the first time, where she also pleaded with reporters to stop waiting around outside their Bukit Timah home.

“I didn’t respond previously because we had chosen to deal with the case formally and it was not convenient for me to voice my personal opinions. A year later, such a thing has happened again, and because my reporter friends have to write about the news, they have been waiting around outside my home and this has actually affected my family’s daily lives,” Vivian said.

“As parents under such circumstances, we need to be able to give our daughters strength… No matter what, the four members of our family will protect each other. It may be a tough time for us now, but I believe this will pass. Because when you are innocent, you don't need to explain more, a lot of things will slowly reveal itself, added Vivian.

Vivian also fought back tears during the interview. “Honestly, this has been a really difficult time in my life. I believe that anyone who faces this situation will be under tremendous stress. And especially since I am a public figure, the amount of stress I am under is unparalleled.

“I believe that our family life still has to carry on. Since I am a mother and a wife, I need to be responsible for them and not just myself. I need to be responsible towards my family so life still has to go on. If you can't look at things with an open-mind, you will find it difficult to cross this obstacle.

I've always had this motto: that when you are faced with many obstacles, you have to cross them one by one. It’s a matter of how you deal with the problem, she said.

Vivian also added that the incident will not affect her work and that she will continue to do her best for whatever work the company gives her.

“This is what I should do. This is my responsibility as a public figure, she said.

Photos: Pokka’s Facebook and Vivian’s Instagram