Elder brother of Chew Eng Han out on bail over ex-City Harvest leader's escape attempt
The elder brother of former City Harvest Church (CHC) fund manager Chew Eng Han was released on police bail on Friday afternoon (23 February).
Chew Eng Soon, 61, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon for abetting the younger Chew in leaving Singapore unlawfully. An accused may be offered police bail after his arrest and before he is charged in court, according to the State Courts website.
Chew Eng Han, 57, was charged on Thursday, a day after his alleged attempt to flee to Malaysia by sea.
Chew and 53-year-old Tan Poh Teck, who was piloting the sampan, were intercepted by three Police Coast Guard (PCG) boats in the sea off Pulau Ubin on Wednesday morning.
The duo was found with about $5,000 in cash, fishing equipment, and three mobile phones. Tan was charged with one count of abetting Chew to leave Singapore by conveying Chew on a motorised sampan from Pulau Ubin jetty.
Yahoo News Singapore understands that when approached at sea, Chew and Tan told PCG officers that they were fishing, although there were no indications of them doing so at the point in time.
Chew was due to begin serving his jail term of three years and four months on Thursday for his role in the CHC saga.
He and five other former CHC leaders, including 53-year-old church founder Kong Hee, were convicted of misappropriating some $50 million in church funds in relation to the music career of Kong’s wife Sun Ho.
If convicted of leaving Singapore illegally, Chew faces a jail term of up to six months and/or a maximum fine of $2,000.
Those found guilty of abetting a person to leave Singapore illegally can be jailed for six months to two years, and be fined up to $6,000.
Related stories:
City Harvest saga: Chew Eng Han and accomplice charged over failed attempt to leave Singapore
