Kong Hee ‘at peace’ with apex court’s verdict
The six convicted City Harvest Church leaders will not have to spend more time behind bars after an apex court ruling on Thursday (Feb 1). TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The lawyers of City Harvest Church (CHC) founder Kong Hee said on Thursday (Feb 1) he is "at peace" with the apex court's decision to uphold the shorter jail terms of the six former CHC leaders, while the other five are mostly relieved that the long-drawn case has come to a close.
Earlier, Judge of Appeal Andrew Phang delivered the judgement for questions of law raised by prosecutors, agreeing with the High Court's majority ruling last April that the six should not be convicted under a more serious criminal breach of trust (CBT) charge under the Penal Code.
The five-judge Court of Appeal agreed with the High Court that an "agent" under Section 409 of the Penal Code does not include directors of corporations, governing board members, key officers of charities or officers of societies. An "agent" under Section 409 must refer to "professional agents", who offer their agency services as a "commercial activity" for profit – which the church leaders did not.
The six had a stoic look on their faces when the judge delivered the judgement, but later expressed relief and broke out into smiles.
Former finance manager Sharon Tan, 41, who has already completed her seven-month jail term, was teary as she was hugged and congratulated by supporters after the verdict. Said her lawyer Paul Seah: "Sharon is very thankful that this process is over. She is looking forward to being reunited with her family." It was previously reported that her family was relocating to the United States.
The church's former fund manager Chew Eng Han, 57, who is out on bail, will start serving his jail term of three years and four months on Feb 22, after spending Chinese New Year with his family.
He said the verdict "came out as we had hoped". When asked how he felt, he said he has "no strong feelings after what I have been through".
Lawyers of former finance committee member John Lam, 49, and former deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, 44, said their clients were relieved at the outcome.
Lam's lawyer Nicholas Narayanan said: "Finally, there's some closure after nearly five years of the matter debated in the courts."
He said he would be writing to the prison authorities on Thursday to clarify his client's release date. Without home detention, Lam is due to be released around April 21 or 22 after serving two-thirds of his 18-month sentence. Home detention allows suitable inmates to serve the tail-end of their sentences in the community, and inmates who qualify are automatically considered.
Tan Ye Peng's lawyer N Sreenivasan said: "He's relieved. He's taken the time in prison to pray and reflect."
Kong's lawyer Edwin Tong said his client is "at peace" with the verdict. Kong's wife, church co-founder and pop singer Ho Yeow Sun, was not in court.
Most of the supporters in the packed courtroom said they were relieved at the outcome.
A CHC staff member of 10 years, who wanted only to be known as Mr Lim, said the verdict was "something we have been praying for". "We are glad that it is finally over," said the 40-year-old.
Ms Zhuo, a CHC member of 20 years who said she was heading back to work feeling at ease after hearing the verdict, told TODAY she was "hoping for the best, and this outcome is the best".
In a statement on the church's website, CHC executive pastors Aries Zulkarnain and Bobby Chaw wrote that the verdict meant (Sharon) Tan "will not need to face another stint of incarceration, and the other five will be able to continue serving their sentences with more certainty".
"We thank God for His mercy and kindness for sustaining us through these seven years and bringing this to an end. We thank you, Church, for continuing in prayer all these years and for your faithfulness and support," they said. Investigations into financial irregularities in the church began in 2010 and the trial started in 2013.
