Family of Singapore tycoon who suffered 2 strokes sues his ex-girlfriend, seeks return of assets worth $9 million

[UPDATED June 5, 2023]

The family of a Singapore tycoon who suffered two strokes and deemed incapable of making sound decisions has stepped in to sue his ex-girlfriend on his behalf. They are demanding that she hand over some $9 million worth of assets in her possession.

Shin Min Daily News reported on Saturday (June 3) that the plaintiff in the court case is the 62-year-old founder of food purveyor Far Ocean, Henry Quek Peng Hock. Quek is listed as group chairman on the company's website.

Quek is represented by his sister Quek Lee Tiam in court on the grounds that the former had suffered two strokes. 

According to Shin Min, Quek's ex-girlfriend, Chia Swee Hun, is a Malaysian hairdresser. The court heard that the pair developed a relationship in 2011 following Quek's divorce from his wife, with Chia moving in to his Tiara condominium unit along Kim Seng Walk.

Within a span of nine years, Quek had reportedly given Chia sums of cash as well as opened joint bank accounts together with her.

But in 2019, the couple's relationship appeared to have soured, with Chia returning to Malaysia to settle some private affairs. Quek's sister later contacted Chia in hopes that she would return to care for her brother, who had suffered a second stroke. 

However, Quek's sister alleged that within a period of six months, Chia continued to transfer Quek's assets to her name and completely ignored him. She alleged that Chia's behaviour caused Quek to lose a lot of weight and become paranoid, Shin Min reported.

On April 6, 2021, Quek's family sought help for his mental health, after Quek expressed to his son that he wanted to end his life.

That evening, Quek's ex-wife, his son and sister arranged to meet with Chia at the condominium unit. Chia was asked to list all the items that were given to her by Quek, which she would be allowed to keep.

The two parties signed an agreement for Chia to sever ties with Quek and move out of the apartment.

Now, Quek's sister has claimed that Quek was not in a good mental state at the time and that any decision he'd made had been unduly influenced by Chia, Shin Min reported.

She is demanding that Chia return the remaining assets in her possession worth about $9 million, which she claimed was only under Chia's temporary guardianship.

The assets include bonds, sales from stocks, real estate in Kuala Lumpur as well as the condominium unit in Singapore.

ALSO READ: Woman sues husband and his ex-wife for return of $205,000 she gave him

candicecai@asiaone.com

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This article has been edited for clarity.