CNA news


SINGAPORE: Five members of City Harvest Church (CHC), including its founder Pastor Kong Hee, have been arrested for alleged criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts of the church.

The other four members are John Tan Yee Peng, Lam Leng Ham, Chew Eng Ham and Sharon Tan.

The five were questioned by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) on Tuesday. They are out on bail and will be charged in court on Wednesday.

Kong Hee was seen leaving the Police Cantonment Complex at 4pm.

CAD said it commenced an investigation on 31 May 2010 into certain financial transactions of CHC after receiving information of misuse of church funds.

The Commissioner of Charities (COC) began its inquiry into the charity on the same day under the Charities Act over alleged misconduct and mismanagement of the building fund which had been raised and earmarked for specific purposes.

The COC said financial irregularities of at least S$23 million from the charity's funds had been discovered. These funds were used with the purported intention to finance the music career of Ho Yeow Sun, who is Pastor Kong's wife and co-founder of the church.

The COC found that there was a concerted effort to conceal this movement of funds from the charity's stakeholders, saying it is concerned about the misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the charity.

With the consent of the Attorney General, the COC has suspended eight persons, including the five arrested on Tuesday, from the exercise of their office or employment as governing board members.

The other three are Ho Yeow Sun, Kelvin Teo Meng How and Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline.

All eight have been suspended from their executive memberships in the charity with immediate effect.

The COC said it will also consider taking further courses of action against these individuals in order to protect the charity. This may include the removal of these persons from their office as trustee, governing board members, officers, agents or employees of the charity.

With the suspension, the eight persons will be prohibited from taking part or being involved in managing or representing the charity on any matters, or attending any of the charity's Annual General Meetings, Extraordinary General Meetings and Board Meetings.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean has stressed that the charges filed by CAD are against the five individuals from the City Harvest Church regarding the use of church funds.

He said the charges are not filed against CHC itself and the church is free to continue its church services and activities.

Mr Teo added that CAD carries out investigations when it receives information that a criminal offence may have been committed.

CAD had previously investigated the National Kidney Foundation and Ren Ci.

As the matter is now before the courts, Mr Teo said the law should be allowed to take its course and the public should avoid speculation or making pre-judgements that may unnecessarily stir up emotions.

- CNA/al/wm

Sigh.... now at least I understand why some Singaporeans are soooo rich other than the enbloc sales people...

There seems to be a rising no. of corruption cases involving high ranking people. Is it bec CAD is working harder lately or other reasons like.... CASINO ??

About time.. ..

To demonstrate that Singapore is really incorruptible?

They call it "donor funds" but is it really voluntary?
I once had a colleague who belonged to that church and she mentioned 10% of her pay each month is transferred to the church by GIRO..
So I asked her, why 10%?
10% seems a lot to me.. If on average, 1 person earns about $1.5K, so "donate" about $150 to church, then multiply by 30,000 people..
wow.. $4.5 million already!
Not to mention, only for 1 month.. if 1 year then $54 million...

It is called tithing. Based on New Creation's membership which is even bigger, this tithing is very significant for them to be able to invest in a good church premise.

The 10% amount is based on an Old Testament practice of giving 10% of your produce. But bear in mind in that day's context, the tithe was not only used to maintain God's temple, but also for day to day running of the community i.e. your modern day income tax.

This amount is still recommended today by many churches. But of course this is voluntary, and beside there are other ways to give back to the church beside monetary contributions, e.g. serving in ministries, cooking refreshments, flower offerings, etc. The issue with CHC was that the church was quite strict in enforcing this 10% rule. Although yes technically it is voluntary, if you are in a CG, if you late or do not pay your tithe, there is emotional repercussions from your leaders and members if you get what I mean.

Compulsory at 10%? This is a contribution or taxation?

Read that he stay in orchard road and use the $ to fund his wife's singing career....