Prive Group CEO, who pleaded guilty to hurting child, removed after company’s statement of support triggers backlash

SINGAPORE — A day after saying that its chief executive had the company’s “full and unwavering support”, hospitality and food and beverage firm Prive Group said on Friday (Oct 22) that Vu Han Jean-Luc Kha has been relieved of the role. 

“With immediate effect, Jean-Luc Vu Han will no longer be CEO of The Prive Group,” the company announced on Facebook. 

Vu Han had on Thursday pled guilty to a charge each of voluntarily causing hurt and intentionally causing alarm to a 13-year-old boy.

The court heard that the 44-year-old French national had asked the boy obscene questions about his private parts, then punched him on the head, while they were inside a lift at a shopping centre.

In response, the company had said on Thursday: “Mr Vu Han Jean-Luc Kha remains a valuable member of our management team and has our full and unwavering support.”

This triggered a strong public backlash, with many writing reviews on Prive Group’s Facebook page saying that they would boycott the restaurant.

By 11:30am on Friday, the reviews had been taken down from the firm’s social media page, and the company posted an announcement of Vu Han’s departure.

“We strongly condemn (Vu Han’s) actions and all acts of violence and would like to reassure the public that his personal actions do not in any way reflect our core values,” it said.

“We sincerely apologise if any of our statements has been misconstrued as condoning his actions as we do not support violence in any way.”

Prive Group added that Vu Han is currently seeking mental health treatment and encouraged “those who suspect they might have mental health issues to seek help early”.

“(We) believe that the Singapore justice system will deal out the necessary punishment,” said the firm.

“Thank you for your understanding and we hope that we can become a better company through this.”