Trial of City Harvest Church leaders to resume next week

SINGAPORE - The third tranche of the trial involving the six leaders of City Harvest Church resumes on Monday (Jan 13).

Church founder Kong Hee and five of his deputies are accused of misusing millions of dollars belonging to the church, between January 2007 and October 2008.

Kong Hee, John Lam, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee are accused of channelling S$24 million into two companies - Xtron and PT the First National Glassware (Firna) - to boost singer Sun Ho’s career.

Ultimate Assets was a third firm identified by the prosecution that was allegedly used as a financial vehicle.

Firna and Ultimate Assets are owned by Wahju Hanafi, whom the prosecution is alleging has close ties to the church.

Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee and Sharon Tan face a second set of charges - misappropriation of some S$26 million to cover up the first sum.

The prosecution is alleging that Kong Hee had set out the timeline of monetary transactions to be completed between the church and various companies, in order to use the funds to boost Sun Ho’s career.

The trial is expected to last until September this year. CHANNEL NEWSASIA