SINGAPORE: City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee had lied when he told the court he did not have total control over the Crossover project, former church investment manager Chew Eng Han alleged Monday morning (Feb 2).
The project sought to reach out to non-Christians through the music of Kong’s wife, Ms Sun Ho.
Chew and Kong are among six church leaders accused of misusing S$24 million of church building funds to buy sham bonds in two companies - including Xtron Productions - to boost Ms Ho’s music career. Another S$26.6 million of church funds was allegedly circulated through complex transactions - which the prosecution refers to as “round-tripping” - to cover up the first amount.
On Monday, Chew was cross-examined by the prosecution. He elaborated on the roles each of his co-accused played in the Crossover project, and said that Kong was the one who envisioned his wife “crossing over” to the United States.
“The man with the vision, Your Honour, is the one who comes up with the budget and financing,” he said. Deputy Public Prosecutor Christopher Ong brought up Kong’s testimony in August last year, when he claimed he did not have overall control over Ms Ho’s music production and that Xtron directors had independent control over the company’s financing. To which, Chew said: “That is a lie.”
He added that the church’s board members had trusted Kong’s vision and authority. “The monies are being used to finance a vision, so the owner of the vision holds the authority to the budget and financing ... because the board trusts him (and) believes in the vision, I can’t see any situation where the board will say no,” Chew said.
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