Ex-MP and former NTUC chief Phey Yew Kok faces 28 new charges, bringing total to 34
Phey, seen in this 1973 file photo, appeared in court on Thursday via video-link from remand. Phey, seen in this 1973 file photo, appeared in court on Thursday via video-link from remand.PHOTO: ST FILE
Published Jul 23, 2015, 3:40 pm SGT
Olivia Ho
SINGAPORE - Former NTUC president and MP Phey Yew Kok faced 28 new charges, mostly involving criminal breach of trust, on Thursday. This brings the total number of charges he faces to 34 .
He was charged with six counts of misusing union funds in December 1979.
The 81-year-old spent more than three decades on the run after that.
The total amount involved in the charges is now over $450,000. The charges also include fabricating false evidence and absconding while on bail.
Phey, who appeared in court on Thursday via video-link from remand for a pre-trial conference, will be represented by senior counsel Chelva Retnam Rajah and partner Chen Chee Yen from Tan Rajah & Cheah.
Mr Chen said they had yet to take instructions from their client, but would see him soon.
Thirty-five years ago, Phey had jumped bail of $100,000, fled by train to Kuala Lumpur and evaded attempts to track him down in Thailand.
He gave himself up at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok on June 22, and was escorted back to Singapore by Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) officers the next night.
His earlier six charges comprised four of criminal breach of trust involving about $83,000 and two under the Trades Unions Act for allegedly investing $18,000 of trade union money in a private supermarket without the approval of the minister. He had pleaded not guilty to these in 1979.
Phey's case will next be heard in court on Sept 3.
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