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Their 32-year age gap was an issue
by Amanda Yong
He got his 20-something girlfriend and former personal assistant pregnant.
Then, for seven months, he had to fight a bitter and very public maintenance case against his estranged wife of 23 years.
Now, veteran actor-deejay Marcus Chin, 59, and Miss Eileen Cheah, 27, his girlfriend and the mother of his two-year-old daughter, have broken up.
Chin confirmed the split when contacted yesterday by The New Paper.
He declined to speak about it at first, but later said in Mandarin: "We still see each other and I still buy clothes for our daughter."
But he later admitted that he and Miss Cheah have gone their separate ways. He declined to elaborate on the reasons behind the split.
But a good friend of his told Shin Min Daily News that Miss Cheah's unhappiness about her lack of a "proper status" was one of the main factors.
While Chin has been separated from his wife, Madam Murong Ying, 55, since October 2008, they are not divorced.
"Marcus thinks that once they're divorced, they have to sell their property. But he doesn't want her to be homeless, and that's why he's still in the marriage and still paying maintenance and the housing loan," said his friend.
Chin's friend said Miss Cheah was upset about this, more so since she has already borne him a child.
Chin told the Chinese evening daily that he had explained the matter to Miss Cheah before, but he could not do anything about it if she could not accept it.
Chin also admitted that their 32-year age gap was another issue in the relationship, but declined to say more, reported Shin Min.
His good friend said their age difference had caused friction in daily life.
Shin Min had reported last November that relations between the couple were not as rosy as before.
Chin was reportedly unhappy with Miss Cheah and he even moved out from the Johor Baru home that theyshared.
Chin denied the rumours then.
Rough patch
Yesterday, however, he admitted that they were going through a rough patch then, but he had shot down talk as he did not want it to be made public.
But if Chin gets his way, the break-up will only be a temporary timeout as he still hopes to get back with Miss Cheah.
"When we agreed to break up, it was for the time being. We're still trying our best to resolve the problems that we have between us.
"But we're not completely over and I hope to reconcile with her," he told Shin Min.
Said Chin's good friend: "Marcus told me there's a five per cent chance that they'll reconcile. He hasn't given up because he wants his daughter to have a complete family."
He added that the couple remain good friends despite the split.
Last week, Miss Cheah, who is on an aesthetics course, even gave Chin a facial when he went to Johor Baru.
Chin appears to be taking the break-up well.
Said his friend: "After a busy day at work, he will listen to music at home, read, meet up with friends for meals and sometimes even go to Johor Baru for karaoke. He's coping very well and unaffected by it."
After he moved out from the Johor Baru home, he stayed with various friends. He is now renting the top floor of a semi-detached house here from a friend.
He visits his daughter in Johor Baru once a week.
Chin's friend said he needs to work hard to support his two families.
Chin has had to pay Madam Murong $4,000 in monthly maintenance since a court order last June.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
