SINGAPORE — Karl Liew Kai Lung, the son of former Changi Airport Group chairman Liew Mun Leong, admitted to lying in the case involving domestic worker Parti Liyani, who was accused of stealing from his family.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty on Thursday (March 30) to one count of lying to a public servant knowing it would likely cause the public servant to use their lawful power to the injury of another person.

Another charge of furnishing false information to a public servant in relation to the same case taken into consideration during sentencing.

He gave false evidence in July 2018 by testifying during Ms Parti's trial in the State Courts that a cream polo T-shirt and a red blouse belonged to him.

Before that, on Dec 10, 2016, he gave a false statement to a police officer at his home by saying that he found "119 pieces of clothing" belonging to him in boxes packed by Ms Parti. This became the subject of a charge against Ms Parti that was taken into consideration.

He was charged in November 2020, after Ms Parti was convicted and then acquitted of stealing S$34,000 worth of items from the Liews.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kelvin Chong sought the maximum fine of S$5,000 to be meted out. 

Despite seeking the same sentence, the defence, led by Mr Adam Muneer Yusoff Maniam of Drew & Napier, took considerable time to set out his client’s mitigation plea.

One factor in the plea was that his client has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and that any custodial sentence would disproportionately affect him.

Liew, who was in present in court and accompanied by a woman, was seen walking with a slow gait.

District Judge Eugene Teo noted that the defence had submitted extensive and detailed written submissions which added up to three bundles of documents.

Given that some time is needed for all submissions to do a careful and objective review of all the submissions, District Judge Teo deferred his judgement to April 14.

PROSECUTION'S CASE

DPP Chong outlined a few considerations in seeking the maximum fine and no custodial sentence.

First, DPP Chong said that Liew had lied under oath and did so while being aware of the harm that Ms Parti could have suffered as a result of his lie.

He had also maintained his lies even when confronted by Ms Parti's lawyer during cross examination.

However, in considering the level of harm, the DPP noted that the district judge ultimately removed the two said items from the charges and Ms Parti was not convicted of theft of the two items.

The total value of the two items of clothing also would likely not have made a significant difference to the sentence that was imposed, he added.

DPP Chong noted Liew’s Parkinson’s disease and had "taken into consideration in calibrating" the sentencing position, saying that the disease "affects the impact" that a jail term would have on the accused.

DEFENCE'S CASE

One part of the mitigation plea set out by Mr Adam was how Liew was diagnosed just a couple of weeks before he testified in court, and this he said had "weighed heavily" on his client's mind.

The lawyer said Liew was under tremendous stress and was extremely anxious about his condition. This was demonstrated by how he had not wanted to reach out and touch the evidence, fearing that his tremors would be visible, and he even went to the extent of asking to speak to the judge in chambers to explain his condition.

The defence also submitted that Liew would need constant help from his wife and children for even simple activities sometimes. In light of this, a jail term would "disproportionately affect" Liew, said the lawyer.

Before adjourning the hearing, District Judge Teo asked if Liew was taking any measures to cope with the anxiety that the defence had brought up, as he did not wish for Liew to "suffer any other consequences due to this adjournment".

District Judge Teo then adjourned the case to April 14 for him to deliver his decision.

For giving false information to a public servant while knowing it would likely cause the public servant to use lawful power to the injury of another person, Liew could have been jailed for up to one year, fined up to S$5,000, or both.