S T A Y I N G A H E A D O F T H E G A M E - Singapore Press Holdings

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT’D)
AUGUST 31, 2004
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT’D)
AUGUST 31, 2004
15. Trade Debtors
GROUP
COMPANY
2004 2003 2004 2003
S$’000 S$’000 S$’000 S$’000
Amount owing 104,334 104,942 92,828 95,120
Provision for doubtful debts (17,899) (19,590) (16,194) (18,190)
86,435 85,352 76,634 76,930
Movements in provision
Opening balance 19,590 21,023 18,190 19,700
Provision for the year 1,644 2,118 640 1,531
Bad debts written off (3,335) (3,551) (2,636) (3,041)
Closing balance 17,899 19,590 16,194 18,190
16. Other Debtors and Prepayments
GROUP
COMPANY
2004 2003 2004 2003
S$’000 S$’000 S$’000 S$’000
Accrued interest 2,892 6,180 1 23
Sundry debtors 6,958 3,781 2,117 1,596
Prepayments 3,546 2,426 2,112 1,212
Staff loans 1,734 1,794 1,674 1,715
15,130 14,181 5,904 4,546
17. Short–Term Investments
(a) Internally managed
GROUP
2004 2003
S$’000 S$’000
Quoted
Equities, at cost 53,421 102,198
Bonds, at cost 150,923 613,734
Accretion of discount on bonds 2,358 3,090
Amortisation of premium on bonds (109) (1,363)
Unquoted
Equities, at cost – 3,480
206,593 721,139
Provision for diminution in value of investments – Quoted (17,554) (57,323)
189,039 663,816
Movements in provision
Opening balance 57,323 42,424
(Write–back)/provision for the year (545) 18,344
Utilisation of provision (39,224) (5,495)
Transfer from long–term investments – 2,050
Closing balance 17,554 57,323
(b) Funds under management
Quoted investments, at cost
Equities 95,877 85,580
Bonds 162,471 148,870
258,348 234,450
Provision for diminution in value of quoted investments (2,644) (1,746)
255,704 232,704
Bank balances 31,915 18,520
Accrued income 2,864 970
Due to brokers (5,883) (400)
284,600 251,794
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