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HE WAS one of four people charged with being involved in a fraudulent investment scheme in connection with the controversial multi-level marketing firm Sunshine Empire on Feb 2, and could face jail time for alleged criminal breach of trust and falsifying accounts, among other offences. Yesterday, Mr Yong Wai Hong was allowed to travel overseas for business after his original bail was raised by another $200,000, to $800,000. The 27-year-old leaves tomorrow for Hong Kong and China and is expected back on March 31. Said his lawyer, Mr Noor Mohamed Marican: “He needs to travel because of work, so the prosecutor asked for an increase in bail, and we had no objection because our client can afford it.” A director of Empire Investment Group, Mr Yong is also chairman and chief executive of Hong Kong-listed firm Emcom International, which was acquired using Sunshine’s sale proceeds. He was hauled to court earlier this month along with Sunshine Empire founder James Phang Wah, 49, who is facing 20 charges, including running a fraudulent business and criminal breach of trust. Mr Phang’s wife, Ms Neo Kuon Hay, 46, faces seven related charges while Sunshine president (Asia Pacific) Jackie Hoo Choon Cheat, 29, has been slapped with 10 charges including running a fraudulent business. They will return to court on March 5 for a pre-trial conference. Mr Yong’s lawyer said there was no need for his client’s presence on that day. Today understands that the prosecution did not object to Mr Yong’s leaving Singapore and that he has done so on several occasions while investigations were underway into the affairs of the company. Today asked the Attorney-General’s Chambers as to why they had no objection toMr Yong’s travelling, and why they did not see him as a flight risk. The AG Chambers did not respond by press time.
