Notice of appeal filed over ex-STTA head's acquittal

SINGAPORE - The prosecution has filed a notice of appeal over the acquittal of former Singapore Table Tennis Association president Choo Wee Khiang.

The 59-year-old was cleared last week of misappropriating $8,400 from the association in 2005.

Ms Koh Li Ping, a 45-year-old former high-performance manager with the association, was also cleared of abetting Choo to commit the offence.

The Attorney-General's Chambers said on Tuesday that the prosecution has filed a notice of appeal against both verdicts.

Its spokesman added: "If the prosecution decides to proceed with an appeal after studying the full grounds of decision, the prosecution will then file a petition of appeal."

Choo is also claiming trial against three corruption charges, which have been stood down for the time being.

He is alleged to have accepted $1,500 from a teenage player in 2005 to give him more opportunities to play in tournaments.

Choo is also accused of accepting a total of US$600 (S$760) from the association's coach, Shi Mei Sheng, in 2003 and 2004, to approve the use of two training facilities in China.

The former Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC was not in court for Tuesday's pre-trial conference, which was related to the corruption charges.

The next conference will be held on Sept 12.

Choo stepped down from the association in 2008 after nearly 20 years at the helm.

He is widely credited with Singapore's silver medal success at the 2008 Olympics and was last understood to be involved in golf course management.

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