Yang Yin’s lawyers seek release of funds from his bank account

SINGAPORE — The lawyers of former tour guide Yang Yin have asked the High Court to order a release of S$3,000 weekly from his bank account, as permitted under the terms of the Mareva injunction freezing his assets that was granted last August.

The application was made yesterday (Jan 12), Yang’s lawyer Joseph Liow told reporters after a pre-trial conference today for the civil lawsuit his client is embroiled in. Yang is being sued by the niece of wealthy widow Chung Khin Chun for loss and damages arising from his alleged breach of duties under a legal document that gave him control of Madam Chung’s assets.

Yang, a 40-year-old Chinese national, met the 87-year-old widow in 2008 while she was on holiday in China and moved into her Singapore bungalow the following year. He gained control of her assets — estimated at S$40 million — through a Lasting Power of Attorney in 2012, which was revoked late last year after Mdm Chung, who has dementia, was determined to have the mental capacity to revoke it.

Yang’s lawyers are seeking to lift the Mareva injunction if the S$3,000 each week for his personal and legal expenses is not disbursed. A closed-door hearing has been fixed for Feb 24.

Yang’s wife, parents and former bailor Ong Gek Lie have been added as parties to the civil lawsuit, brought by Mdm Chung’s niece Hedy Mok.

He is separately facing 349 criminal charges for falsification of the accounts of his music and dance company as well as other offences, and is in remand.