Prosecution disputes Khua’s version of events in second day of hearing for Vibrant CEO
Bernadette Toh
THE prosecution has disputed in court a recounting of events by Khua Kian Keong, chief executive of mainboard-listed logistics company Vibrant Group , leading to his encounter with former KTL Global chairman Tan Tock Han.
Khua, 54, is facing charges over allegedly pushing Tan down some stairs. As a result of the fall, Tan suffered a fracture to his right shoulder.
On Tuesday (Mar 21), the court heard Khua’s side of the story: that Tan was unconscious after the fall. Khua said that after he failed to lift Tan up, he shouted for help in Hokkien from his position in the stairwell. He said he did so several times until KTL staff came to help.
Khua’s version of events, however, contradicted Tan’s claim that he remained conscious and was only in a daze following the incident.
Three witnesses said they did not hear any call for help. They described hearing only a loud bang, which one witness said she thought came either from someone falling or a fight.
CCTV footage from KTL Offshore’s office showed a cleaning staff walking past the door leading to the staircase at the time of the incident. The staff did not respond to Khua’s alleged shouts for help.
The incident occurred on Jan 13, 2021, at the staircase leading from level 2 to level 1 at 7 Gul Road, which was listed as the registered address of KTL Offshore. Khua allegedly visited Tan at KTL Offshore’s office to seek a resolution for the S$2.4 million owed to him by former KTL Global CEO Wilson Tan Kheng Yeow. Wilson Tan is Tan’s elder son.
On Dec 23, 2020, Khua sent a text message in Mandarin to Wilson Tan. Translators interpreted it as “when meeting next time, I beat you/him each time”.
One translator said it was unclear whether Khua was joking, and that she could not be sure whom the message referred to.
Khua’s defence counsel argued that Khua has no history of violence. Vibrant’s independent director and financial controller attested to Khua’s character, describing him as “calm” and “patient” even amid disagreements over the company’s financial matters.
The verdict will be delivered on Jun 13.
Shares of Vibrant Group closed unchanged at S$0.079 on Tuesday.
