Freed publisher bids to start new chapter in life

DISGRACED comics king Mr Tony Wong Chun-loong, freed from Stanley Prison yesterday, plans to rebuild his empire with ideas generated in jail.

Mr Wong, 43, served 18 months of a 21/2-year sentence for conspiracy to defraud Jademan (Holdings) - the newspaper and publishing group he founded 20 years ago.

The group had grown into a multi-million-dollar business before financial troubles forced him to step down as chairman in 1989.

Mr Wong was met by his family, friends and the press upon his release yesterday.

He said he had ''a hundred mixed feelings'' about prison life but was very happy to be discharged.

''My health is very good, very fit. I did not lose or gain any weight but my paunch is gone,'' he said.