Inquiry into the City Harvest Church

1. On 9 April 2013, the Commissioner of Charities (“COC”) invited representations from the public to be made to him by 13 May 2013 on his proposal to remove the following 4 individuals:

   1. Kong Hee (as governing board member)

   2. Lam Leng Hung (as governing board member and trustee);

   3. Tan Ye Peng (as governing board member and trustee); and

   4. Kelvin Teo Meng How (as key officer).
      The invitation for representations from the public is now closed. The COC’s office wishes to thank members of the public for writing in with their views.

Representations from affected individuals

2. On 9 April 2013, the COC also invited representations by 13 May 2013 from 8 individuals (the 4 individuals above, as well as the following 4 individuals), on his proposal to remove them:

   1. Tan Shao Yuen Sharon (as employee)

   2. Serina Wee Gek Yin (as employee);

   3. Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline (as employee); and

   4. Chew Eng Han (as agent).
      
      The COC also invited the Governing Board of the City Harvest Church (“the Charity”) to provide representations by 13 May 2013.  

Requests by individuals

3. All the 8 individuals have separately written to the COC through their lawyers to request for a two-month extension for them to make their representations for these proceedings.

4. To act fairly towards the suspended individuals whilst protecting the property of the Charity, the COC has decided to extend the deadline for the making of representations by 2 months until 13 July 2013.  This is a goodwill gesture which exceeds the time to be accorded for the making of such representations in the Charities Act (“the Act”).  In return, all the 8 individuals voluntarily agreed to an extension of their respective suspension orders by 2 months.

5. The Governing Board of the Charity has similarly asked for, and obtained, a 2-month extension of the deadline.

Discharge of suspension orders of Ho Yeow Sun

6. On 26 June and 24 August 2012, the COC had, with the consent of the Attorney General (“AG”), suspended Ho Yeow Sun from the exercise of her office and employment as an agent, employee and Executive Member of the Charity together with the individuals named in paragraph 3.  At the material time, it was necessary or desirable for the COC to take this interim protective measure immediately to protect the property of the Charity given the Inquiry’s findings of serious mismanagement and misconduct.   

7. Pursuant to section 25(11) of the Act, the COC has reviewed the suspension orders in relation to Ho Yeow Sun, and being satisfied that it is now appropriate to discharge the orders, has discharged the suspension orders with regard to Ho Yeow Sun’s positions and Executive Membership in the Charity with effect from 13 May 2013.  The Governing Board of the Charity and Ho Yeow Sun were notified today.

Conclusion

8. The COC will consider all representations received within the deadline fully and fairly so as to decide whether to proceed with the proposal to remove or whether his proposal should be modified.  As required under the Act, the COC may only make a removal order with the consent of the AG.
   
   Issued by:
   The Office of the Commissioner of Charities
   13 May 2013