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SCMP Reporter

DISGRACED Ka Wah Bank boss Low Chang-hian 'framed' a bitter enemy in a $127 million fraud trial, a former jail friend has claimed.

  Supergrass Alex Chan Yau-ming said Mr Low hated Malaysian businessman Ch'ng Poh and was desperate to see him put behind bars.

 His allegations follow almost identical claims by corrupt government lawyer Warwick Reid, who was also in custody with Mr Low.

  Mr Reid, a former acting director of public prosecutions, said the banker often confided he was prepared to commit perjury to get revenge on Ch'ng.

  Mr Chan said Mr Low wanted a scapegoat so he could obtain an early release and secure immunity for his mistress, who also faced prosecution.

 His allegations came yesterday at Ch'ng's appeal against his conviction for his part in a $127 million shares swindle.

 Mr Low, 50, who gave evidence under immunity, was the chief witness at Ch'ng's High Court trial last year.

  Ch'ng was convicted of using money belonging to Intercontinental Housing Development Ltd to buy a controlling interest of 77 million shares in the company in August 1985.

   He was jailed for five years for conspiring with Mr Low, his mistress Doreen Yong and others to defraud the firm and for publishing a false statement.

   Mr Chan also said a portable phone had been smuggled into Siu Lam, where he met Mr Low in 1992. Calls were made to Taiwan - where Ms Yong had fled - and Singapore, where a third prosecution witness was living.

 Mr Chan, a convicted trafficker, made the allegations in an affirmation produced at the Court of Appeal yesterday.

 In his statement, Mr Chan says: 'C. H. Low made it clear to me he was framing Ch'ng Poh and that Ch'ng was to be a scapegoat to assist him in obtaining a reduction in his sentence.

 'He said this would also help his mistress and son and get revenge on Ch'ng, of whom he was very jealous.

 'He said Ch'ng had acquired a lot through his assistance and while Ch'ng was making money, he had gone to jail. He said Ch'ng was just a pawn in his plan.'   Mr Low revealed to Independent Commission Against Corruption officers he wanted to get Ms Yong and his son out of Taiwan because he feared reprisals by triads.

 Ch'ng's counsel, Gary Plowman QC, said Mr Chan had come forward after reading newspaper reports about Mr Reid's evidence.

 Ms Yong was given immunity from prosecution after agreeing to testify against Ch'ng.

 Mr Low was jailed for 51/2 years in 1991 after admitting fraud and theft charges relating to the Ka Wah Bank. He was freed early and is understood to be in Singapore.

 Ch'ng, 54, was granted bail in January pending his appeal. The hearing continues.



Bank boss 'framed foe' in $127m fraud trial