Former NTUC president and Member of Parliament surrenders after 35 years on the run
More than 35 years after he fled Singapore, a former NTUC president and Member of Parliament has surrendered himself to the authorities.
According to media reports in The Straits Times and Today, Phey Yew Kok, 81, turned himself in to the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday.
Phey had been charged with misuse of union funds, as well as four counts of criminal breach of trust involving $83,000. In addition, he was also charged for investing $18,000 of trade union money in a private supermarket without the approval of the minister.
He was brought back to Singapore on Tuesday night, and was in court Wednesday morning to face charges first read to him in 1979.
A pre-trial conference will be held on 23 July. Phey will be remanded at Changi Prison, and more charges may be tendered against him.
In response to media queries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, "Phey Yew Kok was facing charges of Criminal Breach of Trust when he absconded while on bail in 1980. He has now turned himself in and returned to Singapore.
"He has been charged in court, and the law will have to take its course. This will bring closure to a long outstanding case involving a person who was holding public office as an MP and a senior union leader."
