Director linked to City Harvest testifies in church leaders' trial

[NeverSayDie]

Updated: 08/26/2013 11:49 | By Channel NewsAsia

Director linked to City Harvest testifies in church leaders' trial

SINGAPORE: The trial of the five leaders of City Harvest Church and one former leader resumed on Monday with a director linked to the church testifying against them.

Choong Kar Weng, director of Xtron Productions, a firm that used to manage singer Sun Ho's music career, took the stand as the prosecution's fourth witness.

The Singapore permanent resident was questioned about his ties with the accused and also his role in Xtron.

The court heard how Mr Choong joined the church in 1995 and was asked to be a board member from 1999 to 2004.

He also recalled how he was asked by church founder Kong Hee, one of the six accused, to join Xtron as its director even though Kong Hee was not part of Xtron.

The six accused, including Kong Hee, face varying counts of criminal breach of trust.

The prosecution is alleging that the six accused made unauthorised use of S$24 million of the church's building fund to boost singer Sun Ho's music career.

Sun Ho is a leader at the church and also the wife of accused, Kong Hee.

Some of the six accused allegedly used another S$26 million to cover up the first sum, through what the prosecution calls "sham bond investments".

These investments were made in Xtron, Firna and Ultimate Assets.

Firna and Ultimate Assets are owned by Wahju Hanafi, whom the prosecution is alleging has close ties to the church.

Mr Wahju is slated to testify in this tranche of the trial.

In all, nine prosecution witnesses have been lined up for this part of the trial.

On Monday morning, church supporters were seen queuing outside the Subordinate Courts from as early as 4.15am, similar to when the trial started in May.

Singer Sun Ho also arrived in court at about 9.15am to accompany Kong Hee. - CNA/xq