CHC Trial
Former church fund manager Chew Eng Han brings in the “faith element” in his cross-examination of Kong Hee this afternoon.
The court heard this morning why Sun Ho’s US album was delayed and eventually not launched. Kong Hee also explained the events that led to the issuance of Firna bonds.
Defense presents extensive paper trail in court showing that church’s lawyer and auditor were kept in the loop regarding CHC’s transactions with Xtron, including the rationale for its selection as artiste management firm for Sun Ho.
$4.5m fee executive producers demanded was deemed unreasonable; defendants reworked budget plan to ensure Xtron could recoup its investment in the Crossover Project. Also raised: the Riverwalk purchase and Ren Ci case caused defendants to seek advice of auditor Foong Daw Ching.
12 August 2014 – Summary of Day 7 of CHC hearing
Email evidence showed “emphatic” re-negotiation efforts by Kong with US music executives to achieve “balanced” profit sharing arrangements so as to ensure fair deal for Xtron and allow it to ultimately repay CHC; he also did not want to take Wahju Hanafi’s “generosity and friendship” for granted.
The court saw details of the budget planning process for Sun Ho’s US album and how thorough Kong Hee was in ensuring a conservative projection.
Early allegations spurred church leadership to seek counsel from Drew & Napier lawyer and Baker Tilly auditor in strengthening its corporate governance, CHC founder Kong Hee tells court.
The court heard the story of CHC’s beginnings, how the Crossover happened and that Xtron’s logo appeared on the back of Sun Ho’s later albums.
8 August 2014 – Summary of Day 5 of CHC hearing
Defendant John Lam concludes his time in the witness box today.
DPP Mavis Chionh throws curveball suggestions at defendant late into the day based on new evidence submitted by church’s former fund manager Chew Eng Han, prompting rigorous objections from the defense team.