Chew Eng Han’s West‑bound Escapade: A Tale of Wrongful Funds and Wrong‑way Boarding
Who, what, where, why, and when – it’s the classic five‑W story that even a news‑anchor would film for a one‑minute special feature.
1. Meet the Main Character
- Chew Eng Han – 58, formerly a city‑wide pastor, now a defendant seeking exile.
- He’s been branded a “misuse melodramar” after raking up millions from City Harvest Church.
- His prison stint: 3 years & 4 months (originally six).
2. The Escape Plan
Picture this: February 21st, before sunrise. Chew’s brother lifts him to Changi Village at 7:30 am; the mission? To board a fishing‑boat to Pulau Ubin, a hopping point between Singapore and Malaysian waters—a classic “illegal exit” scenario.
It was all about timing: “No-fly-zone at 8:19 am!”
- Commander‑in‑the‑poop-sou: Police Coast Guard (PCG) Officer Lam Kok Wah spots a vessel at 8:43 am.
- Two locks shuttled onto the shore: Chew and Tan Poh Teck, a fish‑farm owner.
- Result: A nineteen‑minute chase that ended honest‑to‑God fast with arrests.
3. Why the “Flee”?
During the investigations, Chew confessed he had “felt injustice” over his High Court sentencing. He said he didn’t want a conviction – a classic state of mind for many fugitives. “I simply wanted to escape justice” (that’s what the prosecutoris trying to say).
There’s a twist: The legal battle’s a legacy.
- Original 2015 jail run: 6 years.
- High Court trimming: 3 years & 4 months.
- Appeal court’s agreement: 26th February.
4. Other Players in the Mix
- Five former CHC leaders – including founder‑pastor Kong Hee – are also walking the pinch.
- Two Malaysian accomplices: Tan Kim Ho (tour guide) and Khoo Kea Leng (driver). Both got six‑month sentences.
- Tan Poh Teck? 27 weeks jail, no extra drama.
5. Verdict Awaited
Judge Victor Yeo will decide on November 13. Chew chooses not to testify, leaving the courtroom in suspense like a cliff‑hanger episode.
Final Words
What’s the moral? Even when you’re a pastor using church funds for a quick getaway, the cops will find you. And the legal system, though heavy‑handed, won’t let you escape justice by boarding a fish‑boat at dawn. Reality’s a bit of a circus, but at least the court can keep the ball rolling.
