http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/individuals-can-ask-for-access-to-city-h/649124.html

  • POSTED: 23 Apr 2013 6:02 PM
  • UPDATED: 23 Apr 2013 9:53 PM

Individuals who wish to be granted access to the authorities’ inquiry report on the alleged misconduct of City Harvest Church may write to the Commissioner of Charities (COC) office to make a request.

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Pastor Kong Hee (R in white) holds his wife Ho Yeow Sun’s hand as they leave the subordinate courts in Singapore on June 27, 2012. (AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman)

 

Approval will be given at the discretion of the COC, based on whether there are good and sufficient reasons, for example.

 

COC’s office said in a statement it is seeking representations from all affected individuals and members of the public on the proposal to remove four of the church’s senior members.

 

They are Kong Hee, Lam Leng Hung, Tan Ye Peng and Kelvin Teo Meng How, who served as governing board member, trustee and key officer.

 

“The COC’s invitation for representations is to allow members of the public to provide representations on the COC’s proposal to remove – on matters such as whether the COC should proceed to remove, the timing of such removal, and the impact of the proposed removal on the Charity and/or any persons – and to allow persons with additional or specific information which may affect the findings… to provide such information,” the COC said.

 

COC’s office said the removal proceedings are part of a regulatory process under the Charities Act which follows the inquiry’s findings.

 

The inquiry, which began on 31 May 2010, had found misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the church.

 

The COC’s office noted that the COC is not prejudging the case in doing so, adding that the objectives of the criminal trial are distinct and separate from the objectives of the COC’s actions.

 

The COC’s office added those individuals who have been removed from their positions may continue with their religious duties as pastors of the church.

 

It said these are separate from the holding of any governance or management positions in the charity.

 

Channel NewsAsia understands that Pastor Kong has yet to submit his own representation to the COC.

 

– CNA/ir