[9][10][11] The police launched investigations into possible falsification of accounts and criminal breach of trust amounting to millions of dollars which dated back a number of years.

[15] In June 2012, Kong Hee and four other members of the church were arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force.

[21][22] On the same day as the initial arrests, the COC released a press statement detailing the results of its inquiry stating there were misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the charity.

[24][25] $24 million was taken from church building funds and put into sham investment bonds in Ho's artist management firm Xtron Productions[26] and glass maker Firna.

[37][38] On 21 October 2015, all six accused were found guilty of all criminal breach of trust charges pertaining to 409 read with section 109 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224.

[39] The judge called the case "unique and without precedent" and agreed with the defence that there was "a lack of any personal wrongful gain, any motive of self-interest or enrichment, and the absence of an intent to cause permanent loss" to the church as the funds were ultimately returned.

In addition, two other church employees, Kelvin Teo Meng How and Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline, who had been suspended from their respective positions since 2013, were issued warning letters.

On 21 February 2018, Chew Eng Han attempted to flee Singapore illegally for Malaysia, absconding from Pulau Ubin by boat.

[47] On 12 December the same year, Chew was found guilty of trying to escape Singapore and defeat justice[48] and hence sentenced to an additional 13 months jail on 29 January 2019.

Khoo Kea Leng, who was arrested on 26 February 2018[50] and charged two days later,[51] was sentenced to six months jail on 12 April the same year for helping Chew to escape.

[52] Tan Kim Ho, who was arrested on 15 April 2018[53] and charged a day later,[54] was sentenced on 13 July the same year to 6 months jail for arranging Chew's escape.

On 21 February a day before Chew was due to start his sentence he was arrested for trying to flee Singapore unlawfully[46] and was subsequently charged by the police.

We will ensure that legislation provides for higher penalties for directors and other senior officers who commit criminal breach of trust,” he added.