Govt studying ways to take City Harvest case further
Law and Home Affairs minister K Shanmugam. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE - Usually, when the High Court has decided on a matter like the City Harvest Church case, there is no further appeal, but there are some avenues to take this matter further, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said yesterday.
The Government is waiting, however, for the Attorney-General’s Chambers to study what is possible “in specific contexts”.
On Friday, the High Court reduced the six former church leaders’ sentences to jail terms ranging from seven months to three and a half years, which Mr Shanmugam said was “far too low”.
Among other things, the case can be brought to the Court of Appeal through a criminal reference application, relating to questions of law and public interest, for example.
Asked for his comments on the reactions from some of the accused who had expressed disappointment about their convictions being upheld, Mr Shanmugam said: “When you’re in court, you lose, it’s natural to feel disappointed.” VALERIE KOH
