Some are celebrating and some are crying foul. Like it or hate it, former City Harvest Church leader and Finance Manager Serina Wee, who was sentenced to 2.5 years’ jail for her role in the largest case of misuse of charitable funds in Singapore’s history, has been released from prison.
In case if you’re wondering if there’s any hint of “favouritism” here, former finance manager Sharon Tan, 43, who was given seven months’ jail, and former finance committee member John Lam, 50, who was given 1.5 year’s jail, had been released earlier. Strangely (or perhaps not too strangely), nobody cared or paid much attention to them.
Saying that 70% of Singaporean men adore her could be a bit of an exaggeration. I think 90% of them are curious about her and follow her as they would any celebrity criminal.
The entire City Harvest trial lasted 140 days – a record for Singapore and other than the few who have been following the court proceedings and going through the details of the case, the majority were only keeping an eye on Serina Wee’s outfits.
I wouldn’t call her a “tragic hero”. Her followers know and believe that she committed a crime. They just find it a pity that such a good looking creature could end up in such a harsh situation. She was finally found guilty of 6 counts of criminal breach of trust and sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Some men have jokingly remarked that they were willing to get locked up with her. Well, even if their fantasy had come true, she is now a free woman. The nightmare is over for her. The dream is over for dreamers.
But wouldn’t it be nice if she agrees to an interview?