Ex-guide's parents, former bailor sued

The parents and former bailor of China national Yang Yin have been accused of receiving money he misappropriated from wealthy widow Chung Khin Chun's estimated $40 million in assets.

Lawyer Peter Doraisamy, who represents Madam Chung's niece Hedy Mok, has accused them of knowingly receiving "funds misappropriated by Mr Yang Yin from the estate of Madam Chung".

He was explaining the grounds for Madam Mok's application to add them as defendants in an ongoing civil suit, which was granted yesterday.

After a closed-door session, the High Court granted Madam Mok, 60, permission to add Yang's parents - Mr Yang Sannan, 71, and Madam He Xianglan, 67 - as parties to the suit. Both are retired and live in China.

Singaporean Ong Gek Lie, who earlier paid $15,000 to bail out 40-year-old Yang after his arrest in September, is also being sued.

Ms Ong, believed to be in her 40s, hosted Yang in her home after he had been evicted from Madam Chung's bungalow in September.

She is believed to have previously worked as a tour guide.

An amended statement of claims will be filed at a later date as there is "new evidence coming to light", said Mr Doraisamy.

Yesterday's developments are the latest in the legal tussle between Madam Mok and Yang over her aunt's assets.

Both Yang and his wife Weng Yandan, 34, are alleged to have neglected their duties in caring for Madam Chung after he was given legal control of her assets. In October, Madam Mok received court approval to add his wife as second defendant in the civil suit.

The next step will be to serve Yang's wife and parents the writ once the statement of claims has been finalised.

Yang's lawyer Joseph Liow, who was at the court session yesterday, said he is not acting for Yang's parents, wife and previous bailor, and that no submissions were made on their behalf.

Separately, Yang faces 334 charges over immigration offences and falsifying receipts made to his company. The case will be mentioned in court on Thursday.

kcarolyn@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Dec 16, 2014.
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