Head of Ren Ci Hospital, Venerable Shi Ming Yi charged in court

[kazuki]

SINGAPORE: Head of Ren Ci Hospital, the Venerable Shi Ming Yi has been charged with alleged forgery, conspiracy and misuse of funds.

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Venerable Ming Yi, who was also former Ren Ci Chairman, was slapped with 10 charges Tuesday morning.

The monk faces four charges under the Penal Code involving two counts of alleged criminal breach of trust.

He also faces one count of alleged forgery for the purpose of cheating and one count of abetment for allegedly falsifying accounts.

He also faces six charges under the Charities Act for allegedly providing false information.

Two of his associates Raymong Yeung and Phua Seow Hua were also alleged to have gone into conspiracy with the Venerable and were also charged in court Tuesday.

Separately, a volunteer from Ren Ci was charged with allegedly possessing some 70 copies of obscene film.

Venerable Ming Yi, also known as Goh Kah Heng, is out on S$200, 000 bail.

The case will be heard in court on August 4.

Venerable Ming Yi has been on leave for five months before his arrest on Monday night.

He had been under probe by the Commercial Affairs Department.

The Commercial Affairs Department was called in after auditors engaged by the Health Ministry highlighted possible irregularities in some of the charity’s financial transactions.

The Ministry of Health had said that several transactions, which involved several million dollars, could not be satisfactorily explained.

Ren Ci and 11 other large Institutions of a Public Character were subject to the Health Ministry’s general review in July 2006.

Ren Ci is believed to be the third largest health charity in Singapore after the National Kidney Foundation and SingHealth Endowment Fund.

The Commissioner of Charities has suspended Venerable Ming Yi from his office as Chief Executive Officer of Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare Centre with immediate effect.

He will also be suspended from his executive positions in five other charities: Foo Hai Ch’an Monastery, Foo Hai Ch’an Buddhist Cultural and Welfare Association, Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic and The Singapore Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, and the
Katho Temple.

He remains the religious leader of the Foo Hai Ch’an Monastery.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20080715/tap-407-head-ren-ci-hospital-venerable-s-231650b.html



Thank you ya.:shooting:

[cyc]

btw, he is a former RI student... I used to respect him a lot... I mean, he has a bright future ahead of him, but chose to become a monk instead...

anyway, the Ren Ci foundation is very rich... when Toa Payoh Hospital moved to Changi General Hospital, they gave the old hospital to Ren Ci... Ren Ci threw away the old furniture even tho' they're still useable... that's wht I heard

[y1ch]

lol.

charity itself is a problem. you never know where the money go to.

i think we should donate anything but money (use the money to buy things they need, then donate.)

[kazuki]

Maybe i can set a charitable organisation "Save my toys".

Those who wish to stop me from killing the earth is to donate so that i can buy more toys!:salute:

[Koo]

Still cannot crank the cane that this "elite monk"!

[Jankdev]

I have stopped all donations ever since the NKF incident. There just wasn't enough transparency and clear explainations where and how the funds would be used.

Instead of helping the needy patients, i guess they are suffering more now.

[whitelove]

another high profile case on charity, not sure how our government is goin to react .

[Defiler]

Well, my friend had been doing the direct way for many years leow.

A group of them select an orphange or old folks home once a year and pooled some money to buy food, tolietries, and some ang pows.

They go direct to the homes and hand the items direct to the old folks there. No 3 party involved. The more 3rd, 4th etc involved, the riskier it is.

However, it is good to check with the home first on what they need, frozen food and long shelf life items are generally prefered.

I seriously thinking of taking a 1 week slot at CSC and do a charity drive if I still can't clear some of my stuff. Thinking of along the line of all the proceeds goes to the purchase of something for a selected charity. No fixed amount label for my stuff. Donate as you deem fit. :D Don't want to haggle and bargain. [-X

[kazuki]

another high profile case on charity, not sure how our government is goin to react .

I tot they just say donate more?:laugh:

[cyc]

I tot they just say donate more?:laugh:

that's a good "slap in ur face" one :laugh:

[y1ch]

Well, my friend had been doing the direct way for many years leow.

A group of them select an orphange or old folks home once a year and pooled some money to buy food, tolietries, and some ang pows.

They go direct to the homes and hand the items direct to the old folks there. No 3 party involved. The more 3rd, 4th etc involved, the riskier it is.

However, it is good to check with the home first on what they need, frozen food and long shelf life items are generally prefered.

I seriously thinking of taking a 1 week slot at CSC and do a charity drive if I still can't clear some of my stuff. Thinking of along the line of all the proceeds goes to the purchase of something for a selected charity. No fixed amount label for my stuff. Donate as you deem fit. :D Don't want to haggle and bargain. [-X


that's very nice of u. and sounds a good idea as well and something refreshing at CSC!

[ken]

This news just come as another blow to the public confidence in the charity organization.

Anyway, the verdict is not out yet and we shant jump to conclusion yet.

[wyvern]

It sure hits me on my general perception toward charity organisation. But still I reserved my comments till both parties have listed out their case. Anyway, the accused is innocent till proven guilty... :)

[cyc]

Anyway, the verdict is not out yet and we shant jump to conclusion yet.

Anyway, the accused is innocent till proven guilty... :)

in S'pore, it's more like guilty till proven innocent... in my memories, I'd yet to see a prosecutor failed a corruption case here...

[des_yeo03]

Non—profit organisations urge public not to stop helping the needy

SINGAPORE: Some non—profit organisations in Singapore have advised the public not to let the latest alleged fraud case, involving Ren Ci charity, to detract them from the bigger issue of helping needy Singaporeans.

Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre is one of the largest charities in Singapore that provides medical and step—down care for the needy.

Ren Ci’s former CEO, Venerable Shi Ming Yi, was charged in court on Tuesday with forgery, conspiracy and misappropriating charity funds.

The monk, whose actual name is Goh Kah Heng, is out on a S$200,000 bail. He is due to be back in court on August 4.

Venerable Ming Yi was the face of Ren Ci before this latest incident, and those involved in the charity sector in Singapore said a distinction has to be drawn between the individual and a charity’s role.

Gerard Ee, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, said: "I hope the public will see it clearly and continue to support Ren Ci Hospital because the beneficiaries are in need of their support, in need of continuing service.

"So don’t abandon the support for the hospital. As for the individual, like I say, let it take its course, let it have a fair hearing and don’t prejudge."

Other non—profit organisations in Singapore are optimistic that donor confidence will not waver from this recent setback. However, it doesn’t help that this comes shortly after the former chief of National Kidney Foundation, TT Durai, was jailed for misappropriating funds.

Adrian Choo, an associate lecturer, said: "I thought that other people would have learnt from him (Durai), but apparently not. It would cause me to question the integrity of the heads of the charities and the charities themselves. I used to donate without thinking, but now I would think much more."

Susan Lee, an entrepreneur, said: "It sort of saddened me... I feel that it’s the people who mismanaged it, not the organisation. So I will continue to donate because I wholeheartedly want to give to the charity and how they manage (the money) is up to them to answer for it."

Being answerable to donors is precisely what charities have to do today with the newly introduced Code of Governance, prescribing guidelines on how charities should be run.

Tan Chee Koon, CEO of National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, said: "If indeed there has been wrongdoing, then justice must, of course, take its natural course.

"It’s not about the amount. I think for charities, we have to be purer than pure, and whiter than white. There’s no shortcut to it because we are operating on public trust. And public trust has to be earned."

This latest incident involving Ren Ci has certainly disappointed many Singaporeans, but the consensus is to learn from any mistakes made, strengthen the safeguards within the charities and move on with the primary objective of helping the disadvantaged.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20080716/tap-779-non-profit-organisations-urge-pu-231650b.html

[Koo]

There are more things than meets the eye, many "rich, elite & misery" donors "donate the money" in turn to ask for investment as they know how much can be ask. Which in turn "generate porfits" for both side so that in the surface both side "win" in this "game" of donate to "charity".

Too bad the "monk" is too into and caught up in the game to rid himself free. A scarpgoat for all to see by the masterminds gets away scot free!:evil:

[cyc]

who's the mastermind? :laugh:

[des_yeo03]

Trial involving former Ren Ci CEO Shi Ming Yi begins

SINGAPORE :The trial involving the former high—profile Ren Ci Hospital CEO and his personal assistant, has begun.

Goh Kah Heng, better known as Shi Ming Yi, faces 10 charges such as forgery and misleading the Commissioner of Charities.

His former assistant, Raymond Yeung Chi Hang, who resides in Hong Kong, faces two related charges.

The prosecution opened the case by saying it would be proceeding on four of the 10 charges, as a calm Ming Yi sat in the dock together with Yeung.

He is accused of giving Yeung S$50,000 to renovate Yeung’s friend’s flat in Hong Kong.

Prosecutor Jaswant Singh said the pair allegedly conspired to conceal the unauthorised payment, by categorising it as a loan to Mandala Buddhist Cultural Centre in May 2004.

Mandala is an artefacts shop that Ming Yi apparently had a share in.

Mr Singh added that the pair had also lied to the Commissioner of Charities by saying the loan was for Mandala to buy material from a China firm.

Two of the 16 prosecution witnesses also testified in court, with much of the cross—examination centering around audit procedures.

The trial continues on Friday. CNA /ls

Source (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090402/tap-763-trial-involving-ren-ci-ceo-shi-m-231650b.html)

[des_yeo03]

Former Ren Ci CEO admits to lying and covering up for former aide

SINGAPORE : Former Ren Ci CEO Ming Yi admits to lying and covering up for his former aide Raymond Yeung over an unauthorised loan from the charity’s coffers, according to police statements produced in court on Wednesday.

Ming Yi had told the Commercial Affairs Department that he wanted to help Yeung out, but did not think of the consequences.

Ming Yi’s business partner Wee Beng Seng, who is one of the two registered owners of Mandala Buddhist Cultural Centre, also revealed that Yeung had approached him for a personal loan in March 2007.

Wee said he had issued him a S$40,000 cheque because he felt Yeung had done a lot of volunteer work for Mandala, including making purchasing decisions and taking care of staff affairs.

He added that Ming Yi had told Ren Ci board members that he would take responsibility for any matters relating to Mandala.

Wee said although he was not actively involved with the business, he would approve of whoever Ming Yi had authorised to help out with the running of Mandala.

According to the prosecution’s witness, Ming Yi said in his statement that his decision to help Yeung borrow money from Ren Ci was his biggest mistake.

Ming Yi also said he is a person who does not know how to say no, especially when he knew the person needed the money urgently. — CNA /ls

Source (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090415/tap-542-former-ren-ci-ceo-admits-lying-c-231650b.html)

[Leslie]

Ming Yi also said he is a person who does not know how to say no, especially when he knew the person needed the money urgently.
Aiyah, if I had known, I will fasterly borrow money from him before he kena catch :pig:

[des_yeo03]

Former Ren Ci CEO Ming Yi approved several loans to staff

SINGAPORE: The sixth day of the trial against former Ren Ci CEO, Shi Ming Yi, threw light on the way staff loans were granted, even though the hospital did not have a formal policy on them in place.

The court on Thursday heard that Ming Yi had approved several loans to various staff.

Among them was Dr Ong Seh Hong who is currently the community hospital’s chief operating officer and clinical director of Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre. Dr Ong is also a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC.

When contacted by Channel NewsAsia, the MP said in a letter dated Friday: "I was an employee of GIC in 1999. I was offered by Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre to be Director, Medical & Paramedical Services in January 2000.

"However to leave GIC, I had to pay S$560,000 to settle my outstanding staff housing loan. I agreed to join Ren Ci on condition that I received a loan of S$60,000, to pay off in part the amount of S$560,000 and I paid the remaining S$500,000 from bank loan.

“When I borrowed the sum of S$60,000 from Ren Ci, I was not an MP. It was lent to me as staff, and was part of the terms on which I agreed to join Ren Ci. I have since repaid the sum fully."

The court also learnt that Ming Yi’s former aide, Raymond Yeung, was offered an employment contract in 2001, despite his unsuccessful application for an employment pass.

Ming Yi subsequently granted Yeung a S$50,000 loan, even though the latter remained without an employment pass until 2004. This was recorded on Ren Ci’s books as a loan made to Mandala Buddhist Cultural Centre.

At issue now is whether Yeung, who is an Australian citizen and only became a Singapore Permanent Resident in 2006, had received the loan as a legitimate Ren Ci employee.

The trial continues.

— CNA/yb

Source (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090417/tap-954-former-ren-ci-ceo-ming-yi-approv-231650b.html)

[des_yeo03]

Emotional Ming Yi breaks down on witness stand

SINGAPORE: The founder and former head of Ren Ci, Ming Yi, broke down in court on Tuesday as he recounted the struggles he faced in setting up the hospital.

The 47—year—old is accused of giving S$50,000 to his former aide Raymond Yeung, a Singapore Permanent Resident.

Ming Yi had allegedly conspired with 34—year—old Yeung to cover up the unauthorised loan by making it look as if Ren Ci used the money to buy two statues and some wood from an artefacts firm called Mandala Buddhist Cultural Centre.

It was clearly an emotional day for Ming Yi as he recounted his dream to help as many people as he can.

Testifying in his own defence, the monk was overcome with emotions as he spoke of his parents’ initial disapproval of monkhood.

He also recalled the many setbacks he suffered in the early days of managing Foo Hai Ch’an Monastery.

When he spoke of his benefactor, the late Venerable Siong Khye who was a president at the Singapore Buddhist Federation, Ming Yi broke down.

Trying hard to hold back his tears, Ming Yi revealed that it was Venerable Siong Khye who sparked the determination in him to set up a hospital for the chronically ill.

It was to fulfil his wishes that Ming Yi went on to take over the Chronic Sick Unit at the old Woodbridge Hospital. This, despite his acquaintances telling him he wouldn’t succeed.

It was clear from Ming Yi’s evidence that he had no prior experience in corporate governance nor the running of a hospital.

The court was told that for a substantial number of years, Ren Ci lacked funding constantly and Ming Yi was under tremendous pressure to improve the hospital’s finances.

It was in their desperation for funding that the Management Committee ventured into businesses. That was how artefacts firm Mandala came about. But the ventures didn’t help much.

In fact, Ren Ci loaned money to quite a few of its related entities. They include Mandala, Bodhicherrie Singapore as well as Foo Hai Ch’an.

Ranging from S$300,000 to more than S$1.3 million, the loans were categorised in Ren Ci’s books as "Advances to Chairman".

Ming Yi told the court that he was solely responsible for all these loans and that the committee approved of them. But this soon changed when a board member raised his doubts. Such loans were later categorised as "Other receivables" from the year 2000.

The case continues.

Source (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090422/tap-972-emotional-ming-yi-breaks-witness-231650b.html)

[Coeyan]

lol.

charity itself is a problem. you never know where the money go to.

i think we should donate anything but money (use the money to buy things they need, then donate.)

The problem with that is lose the benefit of buying in bulk for consumables.

[des_yeo03]

Former Ren Ci head, ex—aide Raymond Yeung found guilty of forging payment slips

SINGAPORE: A district court has found the former head of Ren Ci Hospital, Ming Yi and his former aide Raymond Yeung, guilty of falsifying Ren Ci payment vouchers.

District Court judge Toh Yung Cheong also convicted them for giving false information to the Commissoner of Charities.

The pair will be sentenced on November 11.

For offences under the Penal code and Charities Act, they could be fined and jailed.

For the more serious charge of falsifying accounts, they could have been jailed up to seven years. — 938LIVE/vm

Source (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20091007/tap-828-former-ren-ci-head-ex-aide-raymo-231650b.html)

[des_yeo03]

Ren Ci founder sentenced to 10 months jail

Singapore: The ex—CEO of Ren Ci Hospital Shi Ming Yi has been sentenced to ten months in jail.

A district court has also sentenced his former aide, 34—year old Raymond Yeung, to nine months’ imprisonment.

Forty—seven year old Ming Yi, whose real name is Goh Kah Heng, and Yeung were convicted in October for falsifying Ren Ci payment vouchers.

Both men were brought to court last year.

District Judge Toh Yung Cheong also convicted them of giving false information to the Commissioner of Charities.

For falsifying accounts, the pair could have been jailed up to seven years and fined.

And for giving false information to the Commissioner, both could have been jailed a maximum of one year and fined up to S$5000.

Source (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20091121/tap-607-ren-ci-founder-sentenced-10-mont-231650b.html)