CT is aghast and shocked as events unfolded this morning at Damansara Perdana. The way our former long-serving deacon, Dr. Lum was treated by a so-called “Independent” Panel of Inquiry is something we might read about in some draconian government or some communist country of yester-year.
At 9.30am today, Dr Lum together with his witnesses went to Damansara Perdana to attend an Inquiry supposedly formed by the Board of Deacons (BOD). Two out of his proposed list of 10 witnesses were barred from entering the church premises, for reasons best known to the Panel Chairman, Dato Nelson. The 2 persons barred were proposed by Dr Lum a few days earlier in writing to Dato Nelson, to be present for the purpose of observing the proceedings and to verify the authenticity of the final minutes of the Inquiry.
When the Inquiry was about to begin, only Dr Lum was allowed into the Inquiry room. None of his witnesses were allowed to accompany him despite Dr Lum, having written to Dato Nelson yesterday for one witness to assist him, as he, being a medical doctor, is not well-versed in inquiry procedures and proceedings.
A stand-off ensued and Pastor Steven was asked by Dr Lum and his witnesses to mediate and come to an understanding of the terms of reference and some agreed ground rules for the Inquiry. The mediation was necessary because Dato Nelson refused to meet Dr Lum for a direct discussion on the procedures. Dr Lum and his witnesses also expressed their concern that based on the letters issued by the BOD to Dr Lum, they had already decided on his termination and that this Inquiry is merely for show.
Dr Lum proposed the following:-
1. That Dato Nelson discharge himself as Chairman due to questions on his independence and impartiality. The reasons for this are that at the last EGM, Dato Nelson strongly spoke up in support of SP and criticized the concerned members for “attacking” SP with questions and that Dato Nelson was instrumental in helping SP receive the “Datukship” title.
Dr Lum made it very clear that even if Dato Nelson refuses to discharge himself, he will be willing to attend the Inquiry.
2. That he, be assisted by Datuk KC, as he is not well-versed with inquiry procedures, his rights and will not be able to ask the right questions.
3. That if the Inquiry was video-taped, he wants a copy of it so that he can verify the final transcript of the minutes.
4. That he be accompanied by 2 witnesses to take notes and minutes of the proceedings.
5. That he be allowed to cross-examine any witness produced by the prosecutor and vice versa.
6. That if the above conditions are not met, he will be willing to subject himself to another panel with mutually agreed terms of reference or to an open hearing at an EGM.
Dato Nelson responded as follows:-
1. He will not discharge himself.
2. He does not agree to anyone assisting Dr Lum as this Inquiry is a fact-finding exercise.
3. The Inquiry will not be video-taped but audio-taped and Dr Lum will NOT be given a copy of the tape.
4. He will allow only one observer who cannot take notes or ask questions or advise Dr Lum.
5. He agreed to allow cross-examination of witnesses.
6. He reiterated there was no need to meet Dr Lum and his witnesses.
Dr Lum decided that in view of the above, he WILL NOT subject himself to such an Inquiry.
Dr Lum and his witnesses left thereafter and Dato Nelson proceeded with the Inquiry without Dr Lum’s presence.
It is left to be seen if this will become the first kangaroo court in Malaysian church history. We hope it will not be.
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ADDENDUM – Sequence of events leading to the Inquiry
Many readers are puzzled about what actually happened during the time between Dr Lum’s resignation from the Board of Deacons in November 2008 and the latest Inquiry saga at Damansara Perdana last Saturday.
After Dr Lum’s resignation from the Board of Deacons on 22 November and his subsequent revelations of the wrong-doings in our Church and the misuse of power and church funds in an interview on CT, the BOD set out on a vindictive effort to “crucify” him. Below is the sequence of events relating to his “termination” as a church member and the setting up of an Independent Inquiry chaired by a close long-time friend of SP, Dato Nelson, whose integrity and independence are in question.
20 December 2008 – BOD Notice
BOD put up a Notice on the notice boards at all our church premises to inform the members and worshippers of the erroneous statements and misrepresentations made by Dr Lum in his interview with CT. The Notice mentioned and attempted to clarify 5 issues out of the 23 issues highlighted by Dr Lum.
27 December 2008 - 1st BOD Letter
BOD decided that the season of love was a good time to serve a letter of termination of church membership on Dr Lum. When everyone was still in Christmas mood, Dr Lum received a Christmas gift he never expected from his long-time peers in the Board.
The letter alleged that he has caused erroneous statements and misrepresentations to be published in the public domain and that it has caused confusion, strife and division in the church. They deemed his action as unscriptural and has (quote) “decided to remove his name from the Church Membership Roll” (unquote). In the next paragraph, they stated that they will give him an opportunity to be restored to the fellowship. To do so, he was to call the Church Secretary to meet the BOD.
5 January 2009 – 1st DL Letter
Dr Lum wrote to the BOD to express the disappointment, despair and confusion their letter had caused him and his family and to seek their explanation on the purported erroneous statements and misrepresentations. Dr Lum also asked for their confirmation on the status of his membership due to the ambiguity of the first letter.
12 January 2009 – 2nd BOD Letter
BOD responded that under the Church Constitution, they had the right to discipline members who walk disorderly, departed from the Tenets of Faith and are unrepentant of unscriptural conduct but before they do so, they will give Dr Lum an opportunity to be restored to the Fellowship. Their letter mentioned that an independent body will be set up to hear his explanation and to make recommendation to the BOD whether his actions constituted unscriptural conduct which warrant his removal from the Church Membership Roll.
20 January 2009 – 2nd DL Letter
Dr Lum wrote to the BOD to inquire on the Independent Body and its composition and more importantly, to seek their clarification of the purported erroneous statements and misrepresentations made by him and the actual status on his Church membership.
23 January 2009 – 3rd BOD Letter
BOD Secretary replied to say that they will revert to Dr Lum after their BOD meets to discuss his letter.
3 February 2009 – 4th BOD Letter
The BOD responded that further particulars in respect of the erroneous statements and misrepresentations will be provided in due course. They clarified that the members of the independent body will be appointed from the members of the Church and that they will inform Dr Lum who the members of the independent shall be in due course.
17 February 2009 – Nelson Letter
Dato Nelson wrote to Dr Lum under the Church letterhead that the BOD has constituted an independent inquiry to determine whether the actions by Dr Lum in causing to be published certain matters concerning Calvary Church which had the effect of causing confusion, strife and division in Calvary Church, amounted to unscriptural conduct.
The letter identified Dato Nelson himself as the Chairman with Bro Puan Chen Keck and Sis Peggy Low as the other panel members.
The letter stated that the unscriptural conduct was in regard to statements by Dr Lum in respect of 9 items (copied and pasted from the interview on CT).
23 February 2009 – 3rd DL Letter
Dr Lum wrote to Dato Nelson to express his disappointment that the BOD did not have the courtesy to inform him as to who the Panel of Inquiry members are, despite their assurance that they will do so in their letter dated 3 February 2009.
Dr Lum commented that Dato Nelson’s letter dated 17 February 2009 is technically wrong as Dato Nelson, by signing the letter himself (and not signed by the BOD) has appointed himself and his own panel.
Dr Lum expressed that he is terribly confused by the series of ambiguous letters from the BOD, all of which, exhibits much confusion, inconsistency and incongruity. Therefore, he does not even know if the purpose of the Inquiry is to restore him back to the Church Fellowship or to decide on whether to terminate him. The BOD's continual use of the word "restore" implies that he has already been sacked as a member.
Dr Lum stated his stand that Dato Nelson is disqualified to be a member of the panel as his impartiality and independence are in question, the reasons being that at the recent EGM, Dato Nelson spoke strongly in support of the Senior Pastor and he was instrumental in helping the Senior Pastor receive the ‘Datukship’ title.
Dr Lum provided the list of his 8 witnesses (Dr Nah, Datuk KC, Bro Sam Ho, Bro Hong Meng, Bro Raymond Cheeng, Bro Teng, Bro Siew Chyuan and Bro Adrian Lee), 2 observers/witnesses (Bro Cheam and Bro Alan Chan) and requested for the presence of 13 other witnesses (SP Prince Guneratnam, Pas Steven, Sis Bernadette, Bro Patrick Wong, Sis Pam Guneratnam, Pas Chris, Sis Jo Tay, Pas Adeline Koh, Bro Stephen Liu, Bro Edward Rajasingam, Bro Han, Bro Philip Tan and Pas Peter).
Dr Lum also expressed his opinion that the Panel of Inquiry should include representatives from the AG General Council and that the Inquiry should be recorded, with a copy of the recording given to him.
27 February 2009 – 4th DL Letter
Dr Lum wrote to Dato Nelson to state that he has not been informed as to whether the BOD is producing any witnesses for the inquiry and to furnish him the names of the witnesses (if any) by that night. Dr Lum also clarified that being a medical doctor, he is unfamiliar with inquiry procedures and therefore, he will be bringing Datuk KC Lim to assist him.
28 February 2009
Inquiry at Damansara Perdana.
CT Note:
Out of the 5 issues mentioned in the BOD Notice, 3 issues were re-stated in the Nelson letter with 6 new issues added in. One can only presume that the other 2 issues in the BOD Notice are no longer deemed to have caused confusion, strife and division in the Church and/or both issues are the truth. In total, out of the 23 issues highlighted in the interview on CT, only 9 issues are stated in the Nelson letter. The remaining 14 issues were not mentioned. One can only presume that the BOD are unable to dispute the truth of these 14 issues. CT shares the views of Dr Lum that all the 23 issues ought to be brought out for the Inquiry instead of just 9 selected issues.
It is interesting to note that 2 of the most important witnesses that Dr Lum requested for, namely SP Prince Guneratnam and Sis Pam Guneratnam did not show up on Saturday. Their testimonies under oath and before men and God, would have been most crucial and interesting. Alas, the truth may never be known.
The choice of Dato Nelson as Chairman of the Independent Panel of Inquiry is the silliest decision, the BOD and SP (as Chairman of the BOD) can make. Almost every long-time member of Calvary Church knows that Dato Nelson is a good buddy of SP. Every member present in the last EGM heard Dato Nelson spoke up strongly in support of SP. He also criticised the concerned members for questioning SP. The BOD knows that Dato Nelson was instrumental in helping SP receive his Datukship title. Lastly (and surprisingly), many members know that Dato Nelson is an avid 3D/4D lottery punter.
Appointing such a person with questionable impartiality and independence (and with debatable or unscriptural conduct), to chair an Independent Inquiry to determine whether Dr Lum who is a highly respected, long-serving deacon and who recently graduated with a Masters in Divinity, is guilty of unscriptural conduct is a joke, to say the least.
Dr Lum and his witnesses praying
before going in for the Inquiry.
This certainly does not look like
a mob which the alternate blog
anticipated.
