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SINGAPORE, Sept. 11 (AFP): The chairman of the Singapore airport operator stepped aside after facing public backlash when a judge acquitted an Indonesian maid accused of stealing from her family and criticized the case.
The scandal involving Liew Mun Leong (Photo) has sparked a storm of anger and raised questions about how the system treated one of the city-state’s best-known businessmen compared to a poorly paid maid.
With calls mounting for him to resign after last week’s ruling, Liew announced Thursday night that he would advance his retirement from his post as chairman of Changi Airport Group.
“I don’t want my current situation to be a distraction,” the 74-year-old said, adding that he was also stepping away from positions at several other companies, including as an advisor to state investor Temasek.
The case began in 2016 when the Liew family fired Parti Liyani and charged her with stealing items worth S $ 34,000 (US $ 24,800), including watches and clothing.
She denied the charges, but was initially found guilty and sentenced to more than two years in jail.
But on appeal, a Superior Court judge overturned the verdict, saying the Liew family had “improper reason” to press charges against them.
It was learned in court that the maid was about to file a complaint with the authorities for having to clean the house and office of Liew’s son, as well as the businessman’s house, which is illegal.
The judge said there were reasons to believe that the filing of the charges was intended to pre-empt this measure and questioned the credibility of Liew’s son, Karl, as a witness.
He also criticized the handling of evidence by detectives, and subsequently prosecutors and police launched an investigation.
In a statement, Liew said that “my family members and I cooperate fully with the police and gave statements and evidence when necessary,” adding that he respected the court’s decision.
Criticism had been mounting after the court’s decision, and a Facebook commenter said he was “really angry” with the case.
“He not only embarrasses himself, he also embarrasses CAG (Changi Airport Group) and Singapore,” he wrote.
The thriving financial center is home to some 260,000 domestic workers, most of whom come from poorer Asian countries like Indonesia and earn wages well below the average for Singaporeans. – AFP
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