Malaysian man, 42, arrested over Chew Eng Han escape attempt
A 42-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in former City Harvest Church (CHC) fund manager Chew Eng Han’s failed attempt to leave Singapore illegally in order to avoid a jail sentence.
In a press release on Sunday (15 April), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said the suspect – Tan Kim Ho – is believed to have abetted a “Singaporean man’s attempt to leave Singapore unlawfully at the sea off Pulau Ubin” on 21 February.
Yahoo News Singapore understands that the Singaporean man in question is Chew, who was arrested that day after being found aboard a motorised sampan in the waters off Pulau Ubin.
Tan was arrested in Malaysia with the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police and was handed over to the Singapore authorities on Saturday. He will be charged on Monday.
“Once again, I would like to thank the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) for their swift efforts in locating and arresting the suspect. This arrest highlights the close collaboration and strong relationship between the SPF and RMP,” said Police Coast Guard commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Hsu Sin Yun.
The 57-year-old Chew, who is currently serving his jail term of three years and four months for criminal breach of trust, was on 29 March slapped with an additional charge of attempting to defeat the course of justice by trying to leave Singapore illegally.
Meanwhile, the boatman who was arrested along with Chew – 53-year-old Tan Poh Teck – has been slapped with three unrelated charges of abetting the attempts of Chew and two other men to leave Singapore illegally over the past year.
Another Malaysian man, 45-year-old Khoo Kea Leng was sentenced to six months’ jail on Thursday for conspiring with Chew to help the latter flee Singapore.
Related stories:
Man who helped ex-City Harvest Church leader in escape bid jailed six months
Former City Harvest fund manager slapped with fresh charge
Boatman in Chew Eng Han case faces new charge for helping another flee Singapore
