The Messianic Phil Pringle gave ‘great news’ to hundreds of Christians at C3 Church Oxford Falls:
“And so that’s part of the reason why I am able to go there and uh- and they’ve just had ah- one really interesting breakthrough in this last week where the Commission of Charities (that’s the organisation overseeing charities in Singapore) has exonerated Sun from [audience applauses] all ah- all charges against her so- There was a pretty interesting ah- ah- so ah- You know I’m believing that we will ah- see continual victories like that-” [Read here]
The TR Emeritus reports,
Kong Hee’s wife, Sun Ho, not removed for now
The Commissioner of Charities (COC) released a press statement yesterday (9 Apr) stating its intention to remove 8 suspended City Harvest Church (CHC) leaders from their respective offices at CHC.
COC last year, with the consent of the Attorney General, had suspended 9 CHC leaders, including Kong Hee and his wife Ho Yeow Sun (better known as Sun Ho), from their duties as office bearers of CHC. This was done pending consideration of their removal later, under the Charity Act.
According to the Act, the suspension orders are valid for a period of not more than 12 months. Before the lapse of the 12-month suspension, COC said that it intends to proceed to the next stage of the process, which is to consider the removal of these individuals from their positions in CHC. This is to protect the charitable property of CHC. The individuals removed may, however, continue with their religious duties which are separate from the holding of any governance or management positions in CHC.
COC said that its regulatory action is independent of the criminal proceedings faced by 6 of the 9 affected individuals (i.e. Kong Hee, Lam Leng Hung, Tan Ye Peng, Tan Shao Yuen Sharon, Chew Eng Han and Serina Wee Gek Yin).
However, in view of the concurrent criminal proceedings against those 6, COC on 28 Dec 2012 made a proposal to all the 9 suspended individuals that the COC would defer the next stage of any regulatory action (i.e. consideration to remove them) should they collectively agree to a voluntary extension of their suspension orders until 6 months after the conclusion of the criminal trial. COC said this was done purely on a goodwill basis so that the affected parties, especially the 6, could focus on the criminal proceedings. Also, it would allow them to have time later to make their case, should they want to, during the removal process, which COC planned to start after the criminal trial. In the meantime, with the extended suspension of these individuals, the property of CHC continues to be protected.
COC said that the deadline for the consent from the 9 was extended twice, and by 7 Feb 2013, 8 out of the 9 suspended individuals had agreed to COC’s proposal to voluntarily extend their suspension orders. COC, in fact, was prepared to consider deferring the next stage of regulatory action even though 1 of them had declined to give consent.
However, when the COC later asked the 8 individuals to confirm their agreement to voluntarily extend their suspension (notwithstanding the lack of consent by the 1 individual), only 5 out of the 8 were prepared to do so. 3 had rescinded their earlier agreement. So, in view of the lack of collective agreement among the individuals and the 12-month duration of the suspension orders (initiated last year) endng soon, the COC has no choice but to proceed with the next stage of the process so as to protect the assets of CHC. That is to say, COC will now initiate the removal process as stipulated by the Charity Act.
PROPOSAL TO REMOVE 8 CHC LEADERS FROM OFFICE
Based on their inquiry report (7 Feb 2011), COC said it intends to remove the following 8 individuals from their respective offices:
- Kong Hee;
- Lam Leng Hung;
- Tan Ye Peng;
- Kelvin Teo Meng How;
- Tan Shao Yuen Sharon;
- Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline;
- Chew Eng Han; and
- Serina Wee Gek Yin.
In respect of Kong Hee’s wife, Ho Yeow Sun, after reviewing the evidence against her, COC feel that at this point, there is insufficient evidence that she was responsible for or was privy to any misconduct and mismanagement that may have taken place in CHC. COC said should evidence surface to indicate that she was so involved, it will review her status again.
In the meantime, COC will proceed with the removal proceedings against the other 8 individuals.
INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIONS FROM PUBLIC
In relation to the removal proceedings, COC has to give notice to the 8 individuals to remove them. And according to the Act, a public notice of the proposal to remove a governing board member, trustee or key officer is also required. It is noted that any such removal of an individual as governing board member, trustee or key officer will mean that the person is prohibited from taking up such positions in any charity in future.
COC said it has already given notice to the following 4 individuals and invited them to make representations:
- Tan Shao Yuen Sharon (as employee),
- Serina Wee Gek Yin (as employee);
- Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline (as employee); and
- Chew Eng Han (as agent)
For the following 4 individuals, COC has also given notice and invited them to make representations. In addition, as provided for under the Act, COC invites representations from the public to be made to COC on its proposal to remove them:
- Kong Hee (as governing board member)
- Lam Leng Hung (as governing board member and trustee);
- Tan Ye Peng (as governing board member and trustee); and
- Kelvin Teo Meng How (as key officer)
The public can write to COC by email to mccy_charities@mccy.gov.sg or by post to the Office of the Commissioner of Charities at 140 Hill Street, #02-00 Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369, clearly stating “Representations on the COC’s Proposal following the Inquiry into the City Harvest Church”. All representations must be signed off with the full name, NRIC no. and contact details of the person making the representation. The deadline is 13 May 2013.
COC has assured that the worship services of CHC can continue as usual.
Source: Editorial, TR Emeritus, http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/04/10/coc-proceeds-to-remove-8-chc-leaders-from-office/, Published 10/04/2013. (Accessed 20/04/2013.)
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