INDEPENDENT director Tan Lye Huat was voted out of the board of Kian Ho Bearings at the company's annual general meeting on Monday, putting an end to the saga which started when a shareholder sought to oust him from the board.

His fate was sealed when significant shareholder Tat Hong Holdings abstained from the vote, and he was unable to get sufficient shareholders to back him up.

Tat Hong Holdings, with a deemed stake of 30.2 per cent, has opted to abstain from voting 'to let minority shareholders a chance to voice their vote and make their vote count', said Kian Ho's chairman Mr Leong Horn Kee.

The resolution to remove Mr Tan was earlier tabled by Ms Amanda Marie Teo Xian-Hui, daughter of the company's managing director Teo Teng Beng. She holds a 13.3 per cent stake.

The annual general meeting was held at Changi South and lasted close to three hours. It was attended by fewer than 20 shareholders and representatives.

Two vocal shareholders had raised objections to proceeding with the motion and questioned the board's role in the process.

'The removal of a director of a public listed company is a serious matter and companies should not be involved in warring factions,' said one shareholder, Mr Nicholas Narayanan.

'The company cannot be seen as a conduit of any shareholder's secret agenda.'

Kian Ho's chairman Leong Horn Kee said the board has maintained a neutral, impartial stand towards the issue.

The company said in a letter to shareholders on Monday: 'The board reassures shareholders that the board has always observed the highest standards of corporate governance, acted impartially and has taken legal advice on the matter.'