Individuals, firms linked to City Harvest Church under probe

Quote :

Individuals, firms linked to City Harvest Church
under probe

Posted: 31 May 2010 1524 hrs

	Photos

Singapore: The Office of the Commissioner of Charitiies (COC) has
received complaints of misuse of church funds against City Harvest
Church.



The COC has informed the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and they
are investigating some financial transactions involving several
individuals and companies related or connected to the City Harvest
Church.



The COC which had received the complaints informed the CAD when it found
that some of the financial transactions may need to be investigated.



A joint statement issued Monday by the COC and Police said CAD officers
visited the offices of the individuals and the companies under
investigation in the morning.



The officers secured records and accounts for the purpose of the
investigations.



There have been assurances by the CAD and COC that despite the ongoing
investigations, services and religious activities of City Harvest Church
need not be disrupted and can continue for its congregation.



-CNA

Source: CNA

It seems that most charities, churches, temples, etc when they become too rich in asset and money...they will abuse the fund...sigh...

Sigh.... Why why why????????

Quote :

SINGAPORE : The founder of City Harvest Church and 16 other
individuals and staff involved in the handling of the church's
financial affairs are being investigated by the Commercial Affairs
Department (CAD).



Police confirmed on Monday evening that Reverend Kong Hee and 16
others are assisting in an on-going investigation arising from
complaints made to the Commissioner of Charities (COC) on the misuse of
church funds.



CAD officers in the morning visited various premises, including the
homes and offices of the individuals involved. They secured items such
as financial records and computers for their investigation.



As to how long the investigation will take, the police have given
the assurance that while it will be thorough, it will be without undue
delay.



Earlier in the afternoon, the COC and CAD said in a joint statement
that they were investigating some financial transactions involving
several individuals and companies related or connected to the church.



They assured the public that despite ongoing investigations, the
normal services and religious activities of the City Harvest need not
be disrupted.



City Harvest is one of the largest churches in Singapore, with a
congregation of over 30,000 who regularly pack its venues at Jurong
West and the Singapore Expo during sermons.



The church's reach online is even greater - through live webcasts,
podcasts and its own broadcast channel. Much of it is driven by its
charismatic founder, Reverend Kong.



The pastor keeps a Facebook page that has over 30,000 fans, and has
his own YouTube channel. He lives in the US with his son and wife, Sun
Ho, a successful pop singer.



This is not the first time City Harvest Church has made headlines.
It was just in March that eyebrows were raised over the church's S$310
million stake in Suntec City Convention Centre, and the Commissioner of
Charities was called in to investigate.



In a statement to MediaCorp, the charities watchdog stressed that
this round of investigations is not related to the earlier Suntec case.



It added that the case involved more than just City Harvest - it
included companies and individuals connected either directly or
indirectly with the church. That is why, it said, the police have to be
involved.



Depending on the findings, the charity's trustee may be suspended.



The statement continued: "While there was a governance review
conducted on City Harvest Church in 2007, the objective and the scope
are different from that of an inquiry.


"The governance review essentially looks at the organisation's
corporate governance with the objective of assessing and helping the
charities to improve the way they are run.



"The inquiry on the other hand is a formal investigation into
allegations and complaints received to ascertain that there is no
mismanagement or misconduct in the administration of a charity."



When asked to comment, the National Council of Churches of
Singapore, of which City Harvest is a member, said it was too premature
to do so at this point.



On the City Harvest's website, a notice to members by Executive
Pastor Reverend Derek Dunn stated that the church was "cooperating
fully" with investigations, and that services and operations would
continue as usual.



MediaCorp understands the church has engaged Christina Ng from law firm Rajah and Tann to represent it.



- CNA/al

Source: CNA

jazz_samz wrote:

Sigh.... Why why why????????

Simple, If they have nothing, what can they do, ,,,,,,,
BUT , If they have many $$$$$$..... EVERYTHING CAN BE DONE.....
As long as nobody know..................But....

GOD KNOWS !!!

This is KARMA !!!

The money given to their sponsored oversea speakers from charismatic background should be checked as they never declare the funds taken out.

People, think we shouldn't poke our 7i into other people business, let the local authorities handle this case.

We should work towards breaking 90's....

Just my 2 cent worth !

This is a sensitive issue.
Everyone has got their view in their opinion.
I fully agreed with Uncle Lau,
Let the expert / authority handle the case.

true... its not my business as I dun attend CH but its still sad to hear.... I am just curious to know if the truth will ever surface....

We should try not to comment or even talk
about religious matters..as BG John has
mentioned..it is a sensitive issue..most of
us came from a different religious background,
so gonna be careful...
Agreed with UL..just concentrate on breaking 90..
80 for some of you..will be most satisfying!!!

For me.... is to break 120 1st..................

Uncle Lau wrote:

For me.... is to break 120 1st..................

Super Modest =)

ping_ping wrote:

Uncle Lau wrote:

For me.... is to break 120 1st..................

Super Modest =)

This is not modest...this buaya-nessim

Uncle Lau wrote:

For me.... is to break 120 1st..................

You're talking about 3x 9 holes ?
Averaging 40 per nine.

Surely I am your believer.

BGLeeJohn wrote:

Uncle Lau wrote:

For me.... is to break 120 1st..................

You're talking about 3x 9 holes ?
Averaging 40 per nine.

Surely I am your believer.

UL, dont need to buaya la. We all know yr good score... buay tahan...ah.

yalor, UL dun buaya lah .... ur driver swing is a Killer, damn long & straight !!!

bro_edi wrote:

yalor, UL dun buaya lah .... ur driver swing is a Killer, damn long & straight !!!

UL............

See... Admit Liao right. Kay Kay tell ppl play 120 then wack ppl right?

HALLO ! Last game with Bro_edi played 94 i played 106......even my uncle kena whack....a classic tales of The Hunters becomes the HUNTED !!!

Dun mean to bring this topic up but I have been reading ppl comments on blog, especially below.

http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/20/pastors-wife-lives-lavishly-in-l-a/

Reading off the pages, some comments are not related, some are too personal and some judge that he/she does this and then that.

Aren't people too quick to judge? It is like people assumed you are already guilty.

Thats the problem with internet these days. People are so keen to pronounce a person to be wrong and proceed to lash out. sad.....sigh.

Disclaimer: I am not a member of any church and dont support anyone either. I am just browsing that all.....

I have reliable information from xxx. It's gonna be one everyone hope they weren't hear...
of course anything of a personal perspective nature should not be published. Until the investigation is concluded. Whether anyone had any vested interest or not, let the authorities conclude, announced to the press and all would be crystal clear.