Four third party defendants downplay individual roles in NKF

By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 07 August 2006 2125 hrs

The blame game continues in the S$12 million National Kidney Foundation lawsuit at the High Court.

Four other former board members recently included as third party defendants have played down their roles in the old NKF.

Of the four third party defendants, Alwyn Lim is a central figure.

The former chairman of the old Finance Committee was alleged to have consistently reported that NKF's fundraising never exceeded 30 percent of the total cost, when in fact it did.

And that 52 cents of every dollar raised went to beneficiaries, when it was only 10 cents.

In his defence, Lim said these reports were made, based on information provided by the NKF and its Accounts Department.

He found no reason to question the financial statements since the accounts were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers and other such accountants.

The other three third party defendants - former Assistant Honorary Treasurer, Associate Professor Lawrence Chia; lawyer Kweh Soon Han and Chow Kok Fong, also downplayed their roles in the administration of NKF affairs.

Chow said his role was limited even though he served as a director from August 2002 to July 2004.

Kweh said he was a non-executive member and did not handle the finances.

And despite serving as Assistant Honorary Treasurer for about a year (Aug 2002 to Jun 2003), he said he was just an unpaid volunteer.

As for Lawrence Chia, he said he was not involved in the preparation of accounts for fund-raising activities.

The four have been dragged in as third party defendants by former NKF directors Richard Yong and Loo Say San who are being sued by the new NKF.

Loo and Yong have two weeks to reply to the defendants. - CNA/ch