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Chew Eng Han escape bid: Third suspected accomplice charged

The motorised sampan used by boatman Tan Poh Teck in Chew Eng Han’s escape bid. (File photo: Wong Casandra/Yahoo News Singapore)
The motorised sampan used by boatman Tan Poh Teck in Chew Eng Han’s escape bid. (File photo: Wong Casandra/Yahoo News Singapore)

A third man suspected of abetting former City Harvest Church (CHC) leader Chew Eng Han’s failed bid to escape Singapore was charged in the State Courts on Monday (16 April).

Malaysian Tan Kim Ho, 42, was arrested in Malaysia by the Royal Malaysia Police after a warrant of arrest was issued by the State Courts. He was handed over to the Singapore Police Force on Saturday.

He has been charged with abetting Chew to leave Singapore from Pulau Ubin Jetty, which is an unauthorised place of embarkation, in contravention of the Immigration Act, on the morning of 21 February.

Tan is the third man to have been charged for abetting the 57-year-old Chew’s attempt to escape Singapore in a motorised sampan that departed from Pulau Ubin.

Chew, one of the six CHC leaders convicted of misusing $50 million in church funds, had been due to begin serving a jail term of three years and four months for his role the following day. He was out on bail at the time of the offence.

Tan is represented by lawyer K R Manicka. He will be remanded for a week and return to court on 23 April.

Another accomplice, Malaysian Khoo Kea Leng, 45, was jailed last Thursday for conspiring with Chew.

Chew’s boatman, 53-year-old Singaporean Tan Poh Teck, was charged alongside Chew on 22 February. Both Tan Poh Teck and Chew have yet to be dealt with by the court.

The former CHC fund manager had earlier approached Khoo for help in fleeing Singapore and had agreed to pay $12,000 to Khoo, Tan Poh Teck and another Malaysian man.

Chew paid Khoo $8,000 near Block 75 Marine Drive a day before his escape attempt.

Related stories:

Man who helped ex-City Harvest Church leader in escape bid jailed six months

Boatman in Chew Eng Han case faces new charge for helping another flee Singapore

Malaysian suspect allegedly met Chew Eng Han at Marine Drive carpark to discuss escape plan