Responding to questions from The Straits Times at a virtual media conference on Temasek’s performance about Mr Liew’s involvement in the his former domestic worker’s criminal charges, International chief executive Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, “There are many individuals who have contributed to both public service and to the private sector in Singapore for the benefit of Singapore and our population as a whole. (Mr Liew) is one of those persons, and his track record at CapitaLand, at Changi Airport Group, and at Surbana Jurong attest to that.”
Last Friday, the High Court ruled to acquit Mr Liew’s former domestic worker, Ms Parti Liyani of the four theft-related charges which she was previously found guilty in the State Courts of stealing over S$34,000 worth of items that allegedly belong to Mr Liew and his family. And today, Ms Parti was acquited of the fifth charge she faced after the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) decided to withdraw the charge which amounts to full acquittal.
Other than being the chairman of Changi Airport Group, Mr Liew is also the Chairman of Surbana Jurong.
Justice Chan Seng Onn commented about the possible motive by Mr Liew’s family in regards to the filing of the police report on 30 Oct 2016 that led to Ms Parti’s arrest and charges filed.
Noting that Ms Parti had threatened to file a complaint to the Ministry of Manpower for illegal deployment by the Liew family, he wrote, “Given the seriousness of the consequences that might follow from what Parti said she would do, I have eason to believe that the Liew family would be very concerned that Parti would carry out her threat to report the matter to MOM. On the totality of the evidence, I find that the Prosecution has failed to dispel the reasonable doubt raised by the Defence and show that there was no improper motive by Mr Liew and Karl in making the police report.”
In his written judgement that acquitted Ms Parti, Justice Chan concluded:
“In the above circumstances, I allow Parti’s appeal against all four charges against her. I first observe that in the present case, which involved a voluminous number of items, the proper handling of the evidence by the police and recording of the allegedly stolen items is crucial in order to preserve the chain of custody of the items. Coupled with the existence of an improper motive by members of the Liew family for mounting the allegations against Parti, I find that the convictions against Parti are unsafe and accordingly acquit her of all the charges.”
Mr Pillay said to ST that he would not comment further, citing ongoing proceedings on the case.
However, he said: “I think we should hear from Mr Liew on his side of the issue, and not come quick to judgment until we’ve heard all sides of things.”
ST noted that Mr Liew had declined to comment on the judgment.
AGC, MOM and Police to look into Ms Parti’s case
In a press release issued last Sunday, AGC said that it will study the judgment on Ms Parti’s case to assess what further action to be taken in this case, in the light of Justice Chan’s comments on the case.
MOM too said that it will look into the case in consultation with AGC to see if there is any action that ought to be taken in response to the findings by Justice Chan.
The Police had also noted the findings by Justice Chan and said that it will looking into the conduct of investigations in the case.
