SINGAPORE, Sept 30 — In the latest twist in the saga pertaining to the tussle over a wealthy elderly widow’s financial assets, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has asked for the courts to determine whether Kathleen Chung Khin Chun has the mental capacity to revoke the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) she had granted to a former tour guide from China.

In papers filed with the High Court yesterday, the OPG, represented by the Attorney-General, applied for an independent medical specialist it will nominate and who is approved by the court to evaluate Chung’s mental capacity.

The move comes after the 87-year-old, who has dementia, applied to the OPG last week to revoke her appointment of Yang Yin as her proxy decision-maker in 2012.

Prior to that, there were several developments in the saga, including the arrest of Yang for suspected criminal breach of trust.

Chung’s niece Hedy Mok — who was appointed as her deputy on Aug 1 — also sued him for loss and damages arising from his alleged breach of duties under the LPA.

Chung’s assets include a S$30 million (RM77.227 million) bungalow in Seletar Hills that Yang moved into five years ago.

Last Thursday, Chung and Mok were interviewed by the Commercial Affairs Department, purportedly over items missing from the multimillionaire’s home.

In its application yesterday, the OPG also sought to temporarily suspend the powers of Mok and Yang in matters relating to Chung’s assets until the issue of the latter’s mental capacity is resolved by the courts.

The courts had earlier granted Mok’s application to stop Yang from disposing of assets belonging to him and her aunt both here and overseas.

The OPG’s application will be heard at the Family Court division of the State Courts on Friday morning. — TODAY