CHC trial: Defence begins with first accused taking witness stand
SINGAPORE — Six City Harvest Church leaders on trial for criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts kicked off their defence today (July 14) with the first accused, former church board member John Lam Leng Hung, taking the stand.
(Left to right) Tan Ye Peng, John Lam and Serina Wee, arriving at the State Court as the City Harvest case resumes, on July 14, 2014. Photo: Ernest Chua
SINGAPORE — Six City Harvest Church leaders on trial for criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts kicked off their defence today (July 14) with the first accused, former church board member John Lam Leng Hung, taking the stand.
Lam spoke about arrangements back in 2002 and 2003 to have a newly formed company, Xtron Productions, manage the pop music career of Ms Ho Yeow Sun, wife of church co-founder and one of the accused, Kong Hee.
Allegations in 2003 by a church member, Mr Roland Poon, that the church was supporting Ms Ho’s secular career had traumatised many in the church, said Lam.
They did not know there would be such public objection, even from Christians from other churches, he said.
Lam took the stand as the first defence witness at nearly noon, after his lawyer, Senior Counsel Kenneth Tan, and prosecutors tussled over the contents and admission of his conditioned statement, which resulted in portions of it removed.
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