Malaysian suspect allegedly met Chew Eng Han at Marine Drive carpark to discuss escape plan
The Malaysia man suspected of abetting former City Harvest Church (CHC) fund manager Chew Eng Han’s escape attempt allegedly met Chew at a carpark in Marine Drive to discuss the plan.
Clad in a black t-shirt and orange shorts, 45 year-old suspect Khoo Kea Leng was escorted by the police to the alleged meeting point on Tuesday morning (27 February). Khoo was handed over to the Singapore Police Force by the Malaysian authorities on Monday.
With his hands and legs cuffed, and his eyes downcast, Khoo slowly led the police to a carpark between Blocks 75 and 76 at Marine Drive. He stopped at lots 85 and 86.
Yahoo News Singapore understands that Khoo received thousands of dollars while in a car with Chew, sometime during the Chinese New Year holidays. It is not clear if this was their first meeting or what Khoo’s role was in Chew’s escape attempt.
Khoo is the third man to have been arrested over Chew’s attempt last Wednesday to leave Singapore aboard a motorised sampan. Chew, along with the sampan’s pilot 53-year-old Tan Poh Teck, were both arrested by the Police Coast Guard that morning.
The escape bid was made one day before Chew was due to start his jail term of three years and four months for misappropriating CHC funds.
Chew’s elder brother, 61-year-old Chew Eng Soon, was also arrested last Wednesday afternoon for allegedly abetting the escape attempt. The elder Chew is currently out on bail while Tan has been charged with abetting Chew’s attempt to leave Singapore unlawfully.
At an urgent hearing on Tuesday morning, the Court of Appeal ordered that Chew Eng Han would begin serving his sentence on 1 March once his current one-week remand period ends.
Khoo will be charged in court on Wednesday. Those found guilty of abetting a person to leave Singapore illegally can be jailed for six months to two years and faces a fine up to $6,000.
Related stories:
Chew Eng Han to start jail term after remand period: Court of Appeal
Third man arrested over Chew Eng Han’s attempted sampan escape
Elder brother of Chew Eng Han out on bail over ex-City Harvest leader’s escape attempt
City Harvest saga: Chew Eng Han and accomplice charged over failed attempt to leave Singapore
