PAP hands out ‘olive branch’ to CHC: It is ‘understandable’ for the church to support its leaders
Posted by temasektimes on June 29, 2012
The PAP government appears to capitulate from intense pressure and lobbying from City Harvest Church (CHC) members following its latest press release yesterday that it will stand by its founder pastor Kong Hee and four other members who were charged on Wednesday for misusing the church’s funds.
In a strongly worded statement, CHC also expressed ‘disappointment’ that the Commissioner of Charity has implemented the suspension of its members without prior notice:
“We have been co-operating with COC for two years since the start of the case, so these sudden suspensions came as a surprise to us.”
Speaking to queries from the media, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports Sam Tan, said the City Harvest Church members’ support for their leaders is ‘understandable’ without condemning them for their ‘rowdy’ behavior outside the Subordinate Courts on Wednesday.
About 200 CHC members gathered outside the Subordinate Courts to ‘protect’ Kong Hee from the media circus and a scuffle reportedly broke out between them and some journalists.
Under the new Public Order Act, an assembly of one person or more is illegal and the police has the power to arrest the offenders on the spot. While the police was quick to arrest SDP supporters protesting outside the Manpower Ministry and CPF Board, no police was present to control the CHC members at the scene, thereby making a mockery of Singapore laws.
“It is understandable, that there will always be supporters to the leaders, and it is also completely understandable for them to express their support to their leaders. And it is also completely understandable for people who hold different views, to also express such views,” Sam Tan said in response to queries from the media.
Kong Hee is represented by PAP MP for Moulmein-Kallang GRC Edwin Tong. According to unverified rumors circulating on the internet, a few ministers and MPs are members of CHC as well.
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Related articles:
City Harvest Church issues warning to media
My unpleasant experience at City Harvest Church
City Harvest Church stands by Pastor Kong Hee
Pastor Lawrence Khong urges fellow pastors to pray for Kong Hee
Kong Hee’s family upgraded from 5-room HDB flat to Sentosa Cove Penthouse
An Analysis into the wealth of City Harvest Church
Defiant Kohg Hee places his faith in God
Ex-CHC member: I donated more than $10,000 to the church in the last five years
Overwhelming support for Pastor Kong Hee by CHC members
Kong Hee charged for misuse of funds at City Harvest Church
23 million dollars of CHC funds used to finance Ho Yeow San’s music career
St Paul said
I want to be a pastor
oso said
I’d rather be an Agnostic….
tintin said
me also
Bernard Deng said
Good idea and prospect too. I have a teacher friend become a pastor. He upgraded from a 4 room flat to condo in 1 yr. Give it a shot.
Compatriot said
I think the laws and by-laws of any land should be respected.If you did good you get the DIME,if you did wrong and bad you get the TIME
Justice is blind and must be serve equally and justly and must prevailed
kaching said
be a holy person and squeeze money from gullible people….that is a good idea
Mike Zeng said
Edwin Tong is also the Dy chairman of the Home Affairs Parliamentary Cttee.
Isn’t there a conflict of interest here?
Annoymous said
“……..a few ministers and MPs are members of CHC as well.”
Confirm safe liao loh.
Voice from the Genuine Singaporean said
you are right so !
forrest said
you sure? who? or just another feel good inaccurate “fact”?
Pantatko said
Wah so shiok ah b a pastor…swindle ppl money still got support frm member, support frm govt n some nore enjoy millions of dollars for so many years…Wah Lao weh…shiok ah shiok.
seneca said
Edwin Tong MP and Dy chairman of the Home Affairs Parliamentary Cttee, IS ALSO NOT EVEN A FUCKING CRIMINAL LAWYER!! NO SURPRISE IF HE NOT ONLY IS AN ACTIVE CHC MEMBER BUT ALSO THEIR INNER CELL CADRE CHIEF..
meimei said
agree!! Conflict of Interest?
Naivety said
CHC really has very powerful connections with mega rich personnel & papaya govt indeed!
No worries, if convicted only fines will be imposed instead of prison sentence!
pngkueh_forever said
No wonder whey are so happy with the million dollars pay. It is all in the gene. Don’t expect a heavy sentence anyway.
Mum ask ah boy said
What is your ambition?
My ambition is to be a pastor.
Make sure your wife is a singer.
Utter Rubbish said
If he does not get full penalty for his crimes cos of his connections with PAP, this country is condemned. No one will respect the Law anymore.
meimei said
Sincerely hope that this will not happen! I love Singapore!
Singing HO said
I want to be pastor wife, can’t suck black cock.
Ng Pian Ying said
If they commit wrong irrespective of status according to our DMP Teo they will be brought to book according. There should not be top down coverups, and all Civil Servants and Government Officiers IN WHATEVER POSITION should by all means conduct their duties WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR. MAY YOUR GOD BLESS YOU
Julie Ong said
Pian Ying, I love it when you said ‘without fear or favour’. In fact the PAP government has repeated ad nauseam how they value honesty and all the rest of it and now ……it seems that they are caught up in a difficult bind of conflict of interest. Let’s see whether all Singaporeans are equal under the law or whether there are exceptions. If the latter is deemed to be so by the public then there must be a citizens’ outcry for justice not only to be done but seen to be done, resolutely. I would give the PAP the opportunity to make good, but I seriously doubt that there can be a culture change within their party. Again I want to emphasise the basic tenet that we are all equal under the law. No exception otherwise there will be no respect for the law and we may end up as a laughing stock instead of an exemplary first world nation.
meimei said
Please respect the Law! No interference from the PAP Ministers and MPs please … whoever they are!
KH is so ambitious because of their backing?/
forrest said
Those who have dealt with media photographers would know it wasn’t too difficult not to be “rowdy” with them or to get them to give you space to even walk through.
Zep said
The end is near, 2012 year of scandals for the rich elites and famous. All hell break loose. 2016 we vote them out……yeah baby!
Singaporean said
I think we need a system which is right and ensure no one abuse power. What happen if all those leader in power are brainwashed? What can we do about it? Is there a system in place?
James Tan said
Article like this is totally uncalled for. The SPF has always exercised discretion in applying the public order Act. From TV footage, it was also quite clear that the media is culpable for provoking some of the CHC members. CBT charges have happened throughout our history in Taoism temples and other unfortunate events such as Reverend Ming Yi’s conviction illustrated that there will always be a temptation to abuse one’s office regardless of religion. The prosecution has read its charges in courts and due legal process will begin soon. Either Kong Hee and his four other mates are guility or they are not. I am very turned off by the trials by media which are sensationalising the whole issue. Kong Hee is in the news today because of the magnitude of sum involved ($50 mil) and the implication on the more than 10,000 church members and therefore given great media coverage. To insinuate that the accused will be given preferential treatment is a contempt of our court. I have greater confidence that the Singapore legal process will give a good account on this case. You should stop writing such juvenile articles for your own credibility.
P/S I am not a Kong Hee supporter nor a CHC member.
jf said
I support your statement James and nobody forces me to support it. Basically anyone wanting to earn lots of money in Singapore must be mindful of the law, because the law makes it possible for (Kong Hee) to make a lot of money. Everything in this world belong to God, so actually no need for Kong Hee to help God make money. Some CHC members believe that Kong Hee has special access to God.
I am sure God loves Kong Hee, CHC members, and other people all over the world. I would think that Kong Hee is a little brother, and he is very clever in sales. Everybody has the same God, but Kong Hee convinces others that his God is special because KH could sweet talk better.
God also love the government that gives other people to express the other greatness of God via other forms of worship.
Little brother Kong Hee appear to have broken some laws. God put those laws via the government. God is also anti-corruption. So a little correction from God is okay. No need to condemn KH.
Even if KH went to jail, it is God’s jail. KH will have chance to experience live in side and great chance to convert the people there. Then KH could bring new members to CHC. And CHC members will learn to love the people from the other side. And there will be a transformed KH. All to God’s glory. God move in mysterious ways, always.
Regarding Sun Ho. She is not a natural. Lady Gaga is born that way. Madonna is Madonna also a natural. When a person tries to be an artiste, the phoniness will show. She can only be a star under CHC’s current umbrella. Without this umbrella.?……no need to say more..
LkySi said
PAP Ministers and MPs are members of the CHC only for partisan purposes – to garner their votes. They dont have the genuine interests of CHC or its members. Now they will distance themselves from the CHC. None of the PAP Ministers or MPs gave their 10% tithe to CHC. As for Kong Hee, there wont be any Kong Hee Fatt Choy for quite some time. As for Sun Ho, its sunset.
Anthony Tang said
How to vote for a MP who cannot diffrentiate right from wrong
mahbok tan said
MP do not differentiate but be a hypocrite. The main objective is VOTES. More votes = $15’000/month.
So what then PAPaya and CHC have in common , they are ALWAYS RIGHT while others are WRONG/SINNERS…!!!
Now that both are in the same boat and start to pinpoint at each other , who are betterest (borrow from Lim Suay Siao )…??? The other party forget that the POWER of 60.1% blind follower and 35’000 blind sheeples are not equal.
We small ants will have to keep our distance and stay safe for a moment of time……let the elephants and the rhinocerous fight it out…..!!!!
Double Standard said
What PAP Sam Tan said is NOT understandable. How can someone in your position speak up and encourage CHC members to support their leaders who are being charged. What signals are you sending ? Look who’s daft??
Different Strokes For Different Folks said
Let’s change the scenario. Imagine if an Opposition Party Key Member was to be charged in court…. you mean we can show our support by gathering outside subordinate court without getting into trouble with police ?
What if a PAP big shot was to be charged. Same same??? No double standard???
By the way, how come Sam Tan or other PAPers didn’t show support or encourage people to be understandable in the recent cases of MIW being charged ??? Will there be Different Strokes For Different Folks.
Playfair said
Why are PAP MP’S involved? I find this very strange?
What is their interest?
Josephus said
HORUS
Egypt-3000BC
BORN OF A VIRGIN
BORN ON DEC 25TH
STAR IN THE EAST
TEACHER AT 12
ADORED BY 3 KINGS
BAPTIZED/MINISTRY AT 30
12 DISCIPLES
PERFORMED MIRACLES
DEAD FOR 3 DAYS
RESURRECTED
‘SUNDAY’ WORSHIP
MITHRA
Persia-1200BC
BORN OF A VIRGIN
BORN ON DEC 25TH
12 DISCIPLES
PERFORMED MIRACLES
DEAD FOR 3 DAYS
RESURRECTED
‘SUNDAY’ WORSHIP
KRISHNAN
India-900BC
BORN OF A VIRGIN
STAR IN THE EAST
PERFORMED MIRACLES
RESURRECTED
DIONYSUS
Greece-500BC
BORN OF A VIRGIN
BORN ON DEC 25TH
“KING OF KINGS”
“ALPHA AND OMEGA”
To find out further, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ljRKhZ81aqY
Taken from Zeitgeist.The thing is even with the evidence in their face people
are still blinkered. Do the research for yourself. Work with facts and draw
your own conclusions. Demand answers. Maythetruthbeknown