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Good that he repent but the action he took was too extreme.
Grassroots leader accused of misusing temple funds committed suicide
16 Jun 2010
Source: The Straits Times
A PROMINENT businessman and grassroots leader who killed himself last year was alleged to have misused funds from a Bukit Timah temple, a coroner's court heard yesterday.
Loh Meng Hai, 59, who was the chairman of the Bukit Timah Tua Pek Kong Temple, was found hanged in a locked storeroom in his home in Chun Tin Road, off Upper Bukit Timah Road, last December.
He left a suicide note in Chinese stating that he had acted alone. He said he deserved to die and that he was 'responsible for the cheating case'.
Yesterday, the court heard that the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC grassroots leader, who was awarded a Public Service Star in 2007, had been depressed over allegations that he had misappropriated money from the temple.
Last July, the Commissioner of Charities began investigating the matter after anonymous complaints were made to the Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau.
A few months later, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) met the temple's committee, without Loh being present, to discuss the case.
The temple's current chairman, Mr Chew Ghim Bok, who was present at the time, told The Straits Times he was informed that the investigation rested on whether Loh had used temple funds to buy goods from companies he owned to boost his businesses.
'He bought things like stationery and Chinese herbs, and donated them to several old folks' homes and nursing homes,' Mr Chew said.
A check with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority showed that Loh owned several businesses, mostly in wholesale trading.
He was also the chairman of the Beauty World Traders Association and the Bukit View Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) real estate committee.
After the meeting with MCYS, Mr Chew said he met Loh and advised him to step down as chairman of the temple.
Last October, the case was handed over to the Commercial Affairs Department.
An investigation report said the department had not begun its investigations into the matter, nor had it contacted or interviewed Loh before he died.
But it was during this time that Loh became increasingly distressed, said his family and friends.
The report added that his family noticed he was anxious and had trouble sleeping.
Mr Chew said Loh was also worried about being followed.
Loh's son, Louis, 29, told police that his father rarely confided in his family about problems at work, and mostly kept to himself.
Loh attended a meeting with the management committees of the Beauty World Traders Association and Bukit View MCST the night before he was found dead on Dec 29.
Loh's wife, Madam Yeo Ah Sung, 60, told police he had returned home between midnight and 1am and sounded stressed. He also walked around the room aimlessly.
Loh's body was discovered by Louis at about 6.30am. Paramedics pronounced him dead at 7am.
In recording a verdict of suicide yesterday, State Coroner Eddy Tham said the evidence showed no foul play. He added that Loh had been troubled about the impending investigation.
