City Harvest's founder Kong Hee & 4 others arrested/charged

[Dreamaurora]

Way2GO:

Just read CHC latest press release.

:slapshead:
Looks like CHC is on a collision course with d authorities
in spite of DPM TCH taking d precaution to make a public statement to separate church fr d actions of individuals involved.

Yes, the press release took me by surprise too. I thought DPM TCH already subtly hinted at them the course of actions they should take. At the very least, I think people expect that those being charged to be relinquished of their duties until the trial is over, whether they are guilty or not. Now it seems like they are going to rally the entire church against this charge and still let the affected pastors preach.

[WeiHan]

Dreamaurora:

Way2GO:

Just read CHC latest press release.

:slapshead:
Looks like CHC is on a collision course with d authorities
in spite of DPM TCH taking d precaution to make a public statement to separate church fr d actions of individuals involved.

Yes, the press release took me by surprise too. I thought DPM TCH already subtly hinted at them the course of actions they should take. At the very least, I think people expect that those being charged to be relinquished of their duties until the trial is over, whether they are guilty or not. Now it seems like they are going to rally the entire church against this charge and still let the affected pastors preach.

They are naive or what? CAD has already found the evidences and has definitely asked the 5 involved for an explanation during interview sessions with them. Their explanations were definitely recorded. Now, I read in this church website, and some forums, the members denials and wishful thinking that course will be reversed.

[Way2GO]

Dreamaurora:

Yes, the press release took me by surprise too. I thought DPM TCH already subtly hinted at them the course of actions they should take. At the very least, I think people expect that those being charged to be relinquished of their duties until the trial is over, whether they are guilty or not. Now it seems like they are going to rally the entire church against this charge and still let the affected pastors preach.

Besides dat, about two other things in dat press release.

. One wonders if Pastor Zulkarnain is receiving proper advice.
Shouldn't he be made aware if he is not already, dat even money dat has been 'misappropriated' n subsequently returned does not absolve or fully mitigate any misdeed already committed. Wat audience is he playing to?

. Bringing in d 2 foreign pastors to speak in support by referring to external reach (dat's going to attract d gahmen's attention) n muddling d Crossover project in general with money allegedly used to support SH's singing career.
d charges were NOT about d Crossover project, but CBT n falsification of accounts.
Wat audience r the 2 foreign pastors playing to?

[WeiHan]

Way2GO:

Dreamaurora:

Yes, the press release took me by surprise too. I thought DPM TCH already subtly hinted at them the course of actions they should take. At the very least, I think people expect that those being charged to be relinquished of their duties until the trial is over, whether they are guilty or not. Now it seems like they are going to rally the entire church against this charge and still let the affected pastors preach.

Besides dat, about two other things in dat press release.

. One wonders if Pastor Zulkarnain is receiving proper advice.
Shouldn't he be made aware if he is not already, dat even money dat has been 'misappropriated' n subsequently returned does not absolve or fully mitigate any misdeed already committed. Wat audience is he playing to?

. Bringing in d 2 foreign pastors to speak in support by referring to external reach (dat's going to attract d gahmen's attention) n muddling d Crossover project in general with money allegedly used to support SH's singing career.
d charges were NOT about d Crossover project, but CBT n falsification of accounts.
Wat audience r the 2 foreign pastors playing to?

And they totally ignore the fact that they registered as charitable organisation which enjoy tax advantages. Who is to say the government and the public can't enquire whether the money was managed accordingly to law?

[Way2GO]

WeiHan:

And they totally ignore the fact that they registered as charitable organisation which enjoy tax advantages. Who is to say the government and the public can't enquire whether the money was managed accordingly to law?

Yes, d tax part is another issue.
Dis will bring dat Hanafi guy under d CAD/IRA microscope.
d roundtripping reported is sufficient ground to probe further.

[WeiHan]

Way2GO:

WeiHan:

And they totally ignore the fact that they registered as charitable organisation which enjoy tax advantages. Who is to say the government and the public can't enquire whether the money was managed accordingly to law?

Yes, d tax part is another issue.
Dis will bring dat Hanafi guy under d CAD/IRA microscope.
d roundtripping reported is sufficient ground to probe further.

I just read that all contribution to religious organisations is taxable. Can anyone confirm?

I think this Christopher Pang is an opportunist. He knows well that the 5 will be convicted and go to jail so he is trying to act like hero and establish himself as the new head of the church.

[Dreamaurora]

WeiHan:

Way2GO:

[quote=\"WeiHan\"]

And they totally ignore the fact that they registered as charitable organisation which enjoy tax advantages. Who is to say the government and the public can't enquire whether the money was managed accordingly to law?

Yes, d tax part is another issue.
Dis will bring dat Hanafi guy under d CAD/IRA microscope.
d roundtripping reported is sufficient ground to probe further.

I just read that all contribution to religious organisations is taxable. Can anyone confirm?

I think this Christopher Pang is an opportunist. He knows well that the 5 will be convicted and go to jail so he is trying to act like hero and establish himself as the new head of the church.[/quote]Christopher Pang is just an EM, if there is going to be a new head of the church, it will be Aries Zulkarnain first.

[Way2GO]

WeiHan:

I just read that all contribution to religious organisations is taxable. Can anyone confirm?

Under IRAS regulations, registered charities r tax-exempt.
Donors contributions r double tax deductible.
u can check whether an organization is a registered charity in d Charity Portal.
CHC is.

[Way2GO]

Dreamaurora:

WeiHan:

I think this Christopher Pang is an opportunist. He knows well that the 5 will be convicted and go to jail so he is trying to act like hero and establish himself as the new head of the church.

Christopher Pang is just an EM, if there is going to be a new head of the church, it will be Aries Zulkarnain first.

do u think in d light of recent developments,
Christopher Pang will pursue d matter with MYCS?

[WeiHan]

Someone has a good explanation of the issue.


===
The issue is that City Harvest is registered as a charity organization. As such, it voluntarily submits itself to the law laid down by CoC applicable to all charities. Some persons have commented wrongly that members donating to City Harvest benefited from a tax deduction. This is incorrect because City Harvest is not an IPC. ie. no tax deduction. But whether or not there is any tax deduction for members is irrelevant in this case. The issue comes back to City Harvest being a registered charity.

As a registered charity, City Harvest do have some benefits. The wonderful 7% interest on bonds (if this is not round-tripping lah…) is tax deductible. Revenue from members is not subject to tax.

On the other hand, as a registered charity, City Harvest has some obligations under the law about how it spends it funds. Otherwise, any Tom, Dick and Harry can register a company as a charity, then raise funds from members, invest them in property or conduct a genuine commercial business… and essentially become a tax-free business.

This is where the alleged transactions fall short of the mark. And is also the reason why Coc is right to step in.

And is this also where Christopher Pang missed the mark too. As members of the church, we raise the funds ourselves, we can spend it any old how. Yes, if its a company, but unfortunately, no if its a charity. And Christopher Pang is a senior executive member too. I have a feeling many church exco members also don’t fully understand their obligation as a registered charity. This is a good wake up call.

I’m glad the govt took its time – 2 full years – to do its investigation. Its throwing a stone at a hornet’s nest. I’m sure its pretty sure of the strength of its case before prosecuting. And Ihave to say, round-tripping, having a cash only transaction side deal does not smell good.
===