Widow’s niece seeks $6,000 a month from Yang Yin

SINGAPORE — The niece of wealthy widow Chung Khin Chun, embroiled in a longstanding tussle with former tour guide Yang Yin over her estate, has made an application to withdraw S$6,000 a month from Yang’s frozen assets to care for her elderly aunt.

Yang, a Chinese national, is being sued by Madam Hedy Mok for manipulating her 88-year-old aunt into giving him control of her assets worth an estimated S$40 million.

Today (Oct 29), Mdm Mok’s lawyer Peter Doraisamy told reporters after a hearing in chambers that Yang had consented to the withdrawal, and this is the first time that the assets — which have been frozen under a Mareva injunction — could potentially be released to anyone.

The next step will be for the lawyers to head to the Magistrates’ Court next week to file an application for the go-ahead from the Commercial Affairs Department.

The white-collar police are involved because Yang also faces over 300 criminal charges for faking receipts of his music and dance school to gain permanent residency status here, among other offences.

Yang first met Mdm Chung in Beijing in 2008, before moving into her bungalow here the following year.

After Mdm Mok took legal action against Yang last year, he lost control of Mdm Chung’s assets with the revocation of her Lasting Power of Attorney, and was excluded from her will.

Speaking to reporters today, Mr Doraisamy said: “(Mdm Mok) didn’t need the funds previously, but given the length of time she’ll be spending to take care of her aunt, it’ll be best (to do so).”

Another decision reached today was that Yang, 41, would not be allowed to liquidate his life insurance policies that are worth around S$98,000 yet.

Mdm Mok, acting on her aunt’s behalf, is appealing against a High Court decision to allow the liquidation of these policies for Yang’s legal expenses. Her appeal will be heard in February next year.