HIS history of performing death-defying stunts to raise funds
for Ren Ci Hospital has earned convicted Buddhist monk Ming Yi a
reduction in sentence for his role over an unauthorised $50,000
loan to his former aide.
The High Court on Thursday cut his original 10-month jail term
to six months, bringing it lower than the nine-month jail term of
his ex-personal assistant Raymond Yeung.
Ming Yi, 48, and Yeung, 35, were convicted by a district court
in October last year on charges that included falsifying accounts
and misappropriation of funds following a high-profile trial over
the unauthorised loan granted to the aide from the charity's
coffers in May 2004.
Ming Yi was sentenced to 10 months' jail on four charges; Yeung
was given nine months' jail on two charges. Both appealed against
their convictions and sentences.
In allowing Ming Yi's appeal against sentence, Justice Tay Yong
Kwang said he accepted that misuse of funds in a charitable
organisation was a serious offence. However, the judge noted it was
public knowlegde that Ming Yi had risked life and limb in much
publicised fund-raising efforts.
'In my opinion, one wrongdoing does not have to be so
overwhelming that the many good deeds are completely forgotten and
interred with the bones,' said Justice Tay.
Justice Tay dismissed Yeung's appeal against sentence, noting
that his contribution 'paled in comparison' to Ming Yi's and that
Yeung was the one who benefitted and had played an active role in
trying to cover up the offence.