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The Straits Times has set up their own tweet stream reporting on what Ps Kong Hee says in court on the stand. Kong Hee has said some very interesting things worth looking into.

Straits Times reports,

City Harvest trial: Kong Hee takes the stand

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong Hee takes the stand for the third day. Insists that he kept a close eye on the budget for Sun Ho’s first English album.
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4h

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong Hee takes the stand for the third day. Insists that he kept a close eye on the budget for Sun Ho’s first English album.
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20h

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong Hee wanted to recoup church’s investment in wife’s music career http://bit.ly/1q6qOZa pic.twitter.com/veuOvooXZE
View image on Twitter
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says fellow defendants Tan & Chew informed him of plans to buy bonds to fund album; he told them to ensure it was legal
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Efforts made to lower budget for Ms Ho’s US album project, producers like Wyclef Jean dropped if they asked for too much – Kong
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong Hee also insists budget for Sun Ho’s foray into the US music scene was overseen “rigorously”
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Hip hop artist Wyclef Jean wanted an “Asian reggae” sound. It was successful “but not in sync with the image Sun wanted” – Kong
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC: Sun Ho sounded ‘too white’ so Wyclef Jean suggested an Asian-Reggae fusion: Kong http://bit.ly/Vhuw9Q pic.twitter.com/vgCBKCyZRe
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong Hee says both he and his wife Sun Ho were “uncomfortable” with her English single China Wine.
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: The singles topped US dance charts and Hertz suggested Sun produce an English album in 2005, says Kong pic.twitter.com/Zwc2THcCfK
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Expand
12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: This pastor later introduced Sun Ho to US music producer Justin Herz, who helped her produce two English singles in 2003 & 2004
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: A pastor in Florida asked Sun Ho for her music videos as it might appeal to Americans, says Kong.
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12 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong Hee takes the stand again for the second day to explain how his wife Sun Ho launched her music career in the US
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Founder Kong Hee said he did his part to ensure church funds used properly http://bit.ly/1sGz4C6 pic.twitter.com/X9P4oDdobm
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Proceedings have ended for today, with Kong Hee expected back on the stand tomorrow
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Mr Foong assured Kong many times that if something was wrong, he would be informed. He even checked Kong’s media responses.
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says Mr Foong never refused him advice, praises the auditor for providing “impeccable” services
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says he is not a trained accountant and can’t evaluate Mr Foong’s advice, but calls him a “respected elder”
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: One church member wanted Xtron to be audited by different, cheaper firm, but Mr Foong urged Kong to use the same auditor
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says “Bro Foong” was his sole confidante in financial matters, church staff asked to consult him when issues surfaced
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Ms Ho not in court as she is on the witness list, not allowed to listen to testimony
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says special audit carried out after Mr Poon’s allegations. Auditors looked at how Mr Hanafi paid for Ms Ho’s albums
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Judge says Kong should clarify what exactly the auditors and lawyers hired by the church were asked to do
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Mr Foong had previously testified that he could not recall details of advice he gave or the meetings he held with those accused
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Mr Yin, along with auditor Foong Daw Ching, looked through meetings of church meetings to make sure there was nothing untoward
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Senior counsel brought in to boost governance at the church was Jimmy Yin. He was asked to look at transactions involving Xtron
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong claims that Mr Poon had told another pastor he had been hearing voices and wanted to make restitution for the allegations
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong has no idea what Mr Poon, who later retracted his allegations and apologised, looks like to this day
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Roland Poon incident was a “wake-up call” for the church, says Kong. A senior counsel was hired to ensure better governance
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Church called Mr Hanafi, who promised to fund Crossover Project, to ask if he’d pay for Ms Ho’s first two albums. He agreed.
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says there was a lot of hate mail coming in, and generally a lot of unrest in the church
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says church had paid for Ms Ho’s first two albums, but the board decided henceforth not to support her album expenses
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong was busy that weekend counselling members, but says there was an informal board meeting to discuss the allegations
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says members traumatised the next day after being questioned by family and friends
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Four allegations – (3) I forced members to vote for her at an awards and (4) we were using building funds to sponsor her album
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: The four allegations – (1) I’m making the church worship my wife before god (2) I’m forcing members to buy her albums
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong replies “I was on my home when one of my staff asked me to watch CNA, there were four allegations.”
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial resumes with Kong asked about the time in 2003 when member Roland Poon alleged that funds were used for Ms Ho’s music career
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
City Harvest trial: I went from ‘shepherd’ to ‘rancher’ as church grew, says Kong Hee #CHC http://bit.ly/1lO0Usa pic.twitter.com/nwggQZrMoI
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
“Privileged” exhibits Chew Eng Han was warned against using were correspondence between him and investment firm that dealt with #CHC funds
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Court tells church board’s lawyer “you have been put on notice that you may have to make your submissions in open court”
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: The letter said all communications between Chew and the church were privileged
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC lawyers had sent one accused, Chew Eng Han, a letter warning him about some of the exhibits he was going to use when questioning Kong
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
Before trial breaks for lunch, prosecution suggests #CHC’s lawyer raise objections in open court over which exhibits can’t be presented
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong tells the court that 280,000 people went, and 100,000 filled out cards wanting to know more about Jesus
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says his wife’s concerts for her first album were City Harvest’s “best evangelism tool” then
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: The board believed the Crossover Project should be expanded to the “whole world”, Kong says
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong tells the court that the church’s board supported the decision to expand Ms Ho’s music career to the United States
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: In the video, Mr Hanafi’s daughter said the family had donated to support the project.
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: The video was screened to tell the church and its members where the expenses for Ms Ho’s first two albums came from
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: She said in the video that the Hanafi family “is very proud of what Sun is doing”
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC: Kong’s lawyer Edwin Tong reveals video transcript in which Mr Hanafi’s eldest daughter offers to donate to project on behalf of family
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Mr Hanafi, who was in charge of the 2 firms that managed Sun Ho’s music career, allegedly helped the defendants to misuse funds
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: In tears, the Indonesian told Kong that he would pay for the project, the pastor tells the court
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Indonesian businessman Wahju Hanafi and his family helped out during earlier concerts, says Kong
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Sun Ho had her own full-time manager only from the second album, Kong says.
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says his role in the project was as its “leader and visionary”. He was Sun Ho’s personal manager for the first album.
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Members also supported the Crossover Project financially, Kong says
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: A survey of 1,700 members was carried out – and 90% said she should continue, Kong tells the court
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC: When his son was born, Kong says he asked the church whether his wife should continue with the project, since she had become a mother
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: More than 1,600 members volunteered to help with Ms Ho’s 80-concert tour, adds Kong
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: City Harvest Church members were very excited about the project when they were told about it, Kong says
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: After a short break in court, Kong continues talking about the Crossover Project
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: So they signed with another firm for a two-album deal
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong did not want Ms Ho to sign with Sony as it kept a tight rein on artists. Kong was afraid she would not be allowed to preach
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: That was when Kong though his wife could “engage the world of MTV” and preach to the world. He told the church, who supported it
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says a Sony executive told him that Ms Ho had the potential to be a pop artist
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: In 2001, Kong tells the court, work was started on a pop album. They also made some music videos
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says he was later asked by a music producer, why not get Ms Ho to do a pop album? Since youth no longer listen to gospel
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: The reception was great, says Kong. “I thought this is the way to go”
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: On another trip to Taiwan, they did it again – singing secular songs and tweaking the lyrics
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says he tested this at an international church conference and the young people loved it
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom

#CHC trial: In June 2000, Kong had the idea to get his wife to do pop routines, instead of singing “I love you”, to sing “I love you, Jesus”
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: When he was on the way home, Kong says he heard God tell him to evangelise to the youth in Taiwan
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: But City Harvest Church here was filled with young people, says Kong
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: A Taiwan missionary told Kong the church had lost its appeal there, and that people were interested in sports and entertainment
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says that he was invited to Taiwan for the first time in 1999. There, he says, the Christian population was ageing
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong explains to the court how the Crossover Project was started
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong adds that the church’s “organisational structure” was good, and that he trusted the church’s lawyers and auditors
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Still, Kong had a “general sense that everything was going well”. He left the details to the board, was alerted for big issues
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
#CHC trial: Kong says that as church president, he relied a lot on the church board as he was mostly overseas
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
City Harvest trial: Kong began by going through his past, saying he wanted to be a missionary in 1989 when he felt god speaking to him.
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11 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
City Harvest trial: Church founder Kong Hee has taken the stand in the trial over the alleged misuse of church funds.
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9 Aug

The Straits Times ✔ @STcom
City Harvest trial: Purchase of CDs ‘doesn’t mean they weren’t doing well’ http://bit.ly/1ssyiIS
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Source: City Harvest trial: Kong Hee takes the stand, The Straits Times, http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/courts-crime/story/city-harvest-trial-kong-hee-takes-the-stand-20140811, Published on Aug 11, 2014 10:25 AM. (Accessed 13/08/2014.)