The millionaire pastor of City Harvest Church, 50 year-old Kong Hee, has put his luxurious penthouse family suite in Sentosa Cove up for sale, and he is asking for a record smashing $10 million for the duplex unit. Kong Hee and his celebrity wife, Ho Yeow Sun, paid $9.33 million in 2007 for the unit
Kong and 5 other CHC personnel are involved in a high profile trial over the alleged misuse of $50 million of church funds, which has been slow in its execution. Court proceedings have dragged on for at least over 2 years, which has led some netizens to accuse Kong and his followers of purposely delaying proceedings to waste time and court resources.
The penthouse in Sentosa Cove had allegedly come under scrutiny during earlier parts of the trial, where a witness to the court, CHC supporter Wahju Hanafi, had told the court that the penthouse was co-owned by him and Kong. Mr Hanafi had told the court that he and Kong each paid monthly instalments of $17,000 for the Sentosa property. Kong lives in the penthouse in Ocean Drive with 45 year-old Ho Yeow Sun and 10-year-old son Dayan.
An investor who expressed interest in buying the home told the media yesterday: "The agent tried to persuade me to make an offer and sweetened the deal by saying that if I buy the penthouse, the owner would take me out to sea on his yacht."
He visited the penthouse and told reporters that the property and its furnishings looked "lavish and opulent".
"The agent tried to persuade me to make an offer and sweetened the deal by saying that if I buy the penthouse, the owner would take me out to sea on his yacht," He said. "The home is decorated with quality furniture and top of the range equipment. It gives me the impression that the owner sure knows how to enjoy the high life."
The 5,242 sq ft duplex comes with a huge rooftop infinity pool and overlooks the upmarket One Degree 15 Marina Club.
A property agent said the unit boasts spectacular views of luxury yachts entering the marina and the city's skyline, and of fireworks during festivities.
A private lift takes visitors to the 11th-storey penthouse featuring four rooms on the first level - a master bedroom and other rooms.
The living and dining areas have giant crystal light fixtures and works of art.
A walk-in wardrobe connects the master bedroom to a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi. The wardrobe area also features two watch display cabinets filled with fine timepieces from Cartier and Bvlgari.
A spiral staircase in the dining area leads to an entertainment area on the second level and a roof terrace with a huge infinity pool.
One of Kong's property agents says that Kong was willing to move out of the unit as soon as September, which is the same month that he will appear in court again for prosecution and defence to make their closing statements.
The property has yet to be sold as no one has met Kong's asking price.
The last time an Oceanfront penthouse was sold, in April 2010, the single-storey 4,510 sq ft unit went for $7.5 million, or $1,663 psf. A 4,112 sq ft single-storey penthouse on the 10th floor with a full sea view is on the market for $9.5 million.
Editor's Note:
Do you have a story to share? Please use our submission form or email us at editorial@allsingaporestuff.com. If not, why not give us a 'Like'?