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Liew Mun Leong steps down from CAG, Temasek, after acquittal of ex-maid Parti Liyani

Liew Mun Leong, Chairman of Changi Airport Group. (PHOTO: CAG website)
Liew Mun Leong, Chairman of Changi Airport Group. (PHOTO: CAG website)

SINGAPORE — Changi Airport Group chairman Liew Mun Leong on Thursday (10 September) said that he is retiring from his various public service and business roles with immediate effect.

The announcement comes after Liew’s former domestic helper Parti Liyani was acquitted of all four theft charges. Parti had been convicted and sentenced to 26 months’ jail over stealing items worth more than $34,000 from Liew’s household, following a police report made by Liew in 2016.

Liew said in a media statement that he decided to bring forward his retirement from the various public service and business roles with Changi Airport Group, Surbana Jurong, Temasek Foundation, and Temasek International with immediate effect after much deliberation.

“Those who know me, will know I am passionate about the roles and missions of these organisations. I do not wish my current situation to be a distraction to their respective boards, management, and staff, amidst their many critical priorities,” he added.

Liew said that he and his family had cooperated fully with the police and gave statements and evidence when required throughout the investigations and trial.

“The High Court has made its decision. I have faith in our legal system and respect the decision of the High Court,” he added.

“I understand that both the Attorney’s General Chambers (AGC) and the police are now conducting reviews of the matter. Should it be required, my family and I will continue to provide full cooperation to both AGC and the police...I stand ready to assist or advise (without compensation), in any way appropriate, especially given the on-going challenges posed by COVID-19.”

Liew spoke briefly about the events leading to the case in his statement, noting that he proceeded to make a police report the same afternoon he returned from overseas in 2016, when his family discovered some of their belongings in Parti’s boxes.

They included a DVD player valued at $1,000, two Longchamp bags worth $400, a Gerald Genta watch worth $10,000, two white iPhone 4 smartphones with accessories valued at $2,056, 115 pieces of clothing valued at $150 each, and a $500 blanket.

Liew added that he was motivated by a genuine belief “that if there were suspicions of wrongdoing, it is our civic duty to report the matter to the police and let the authorities investigate accordingly”.

“The police conducted their investigations. Ms Liyani was subsequently arrested by the police, and later, charged by the Public Prosecutor,” he said.

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