Chan Tak Seng (center)
The Macau Institution of People’s Alliance director Chan Tak Seng denounced the ruling by the Court of First Instance over the graft case involving Chan Meng Kam’s list as “political persecution,” while also slamming the Secretary for Administration and Justice Sonia Chan for her alleged impromptu announcement on Monday that the electoral law would be revised in the wake of the sentencing.
During a press conference held yesterday, Chan Tak Seng was zealous in the defense of the two association members being found guilty of electoral bribery. According to Mr Chan, the secretary Sonia Chan hinted her approval of Friday’s verdict, which indirectly tarnished the Alliance’s reputation before an appeal was made.
“The verdict comes before a trial! Today Sonia Chan, the government even told everyone, during the period of appealing, that they were going to legislate based on this case. [Sonia Chan said that a draft review of the electoral law would be conducted before the end of the year, but refused to comment on the bribery conviction] How awkward!” said Chan, who also implied that the authorities intended to make an example of the case.
The seemingly infuriated director also accused the government of having been arbitrary in executing its power as it “opted” to file a lawsuit against the association he heads, given that “several other campaign teams also conducted the same practices in order to remind their members to cast their ballots” ahead of the 2013 Legislative Assembly.
Chan claimed that the two agents from the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) who testified in court had infiltrated his association as members by using false identities. Furthermore, during a phone conservation, of which the audio was unavailable for the trial, the CCAC inspectors allegedly kept manipulating the accused 67-year-old senior citizen, in order to convince her to make statements which were favorable to them.
“Are they deployed by the government, or the CCAC itself? (…) Why are they using fake identities and documents? Why? Tell me why! asked Chan, who then declined to reveal the details of their contrived membership information.
Contrarily, Chan insisted that their personnel had been previously ordered to “remind their members of the upcoming election via phone in line with the guidance of integrity” and dismissed the accusation that they offered catering to their would-be voters. Yet, he also conceded that it could be easy for miscommunications to occur.
In response to allegations that their group members were spotted standing in the lobbies of two local restaurants in large groups before being collected by shuttle buses in order to vote, Chan explained that they were there simply “chilling out under the air-conditioning inside.”
After that, the alliance head also rebuked the judge who led the trial as biased towards the CCAC agents’ testimonies, asserting that he might have been evaluating evidence arbitrarily and neglecting their other members’ testimonies.
“[The judge] assessed the evidence arbitrarily and made the decision without enough evidence,” said Chan. “Such a verdict, I don’t dare to pick at the jurisdiction, but what I want is an equitable one.”
None of the three lawmakers embroiled in the scandal, all of whom are members from the association, were in attendance. “They have their works, yet over this matter, you guys go to find the lawmakers on your own after our clarification. But we basically hold the same stance towards this matter,” said the head of the Alliance, also stressing that his remarks were not made on behalf of the trio.
Throughout the almost one-hour press conference, Mr Chan complained many times that his group did not “deserve to be treated so badly, as they have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the government and citizens.”
Contacted by TDM, Song Pek Kei confirmed that Chan Tak Seng represents the three lawmakers. She also said that the group will not issue further comments on the case. Staff reporter
chan meng kam not in attendance
One of the elected lawmakers featured in Chan Meng Kam’s list, Song Pek Kei, said on Monday that she would not comment on the case and that a joint press conference would be requested yesterday. However, lawmakers Si Ka Lon, Song Pek Kei and Chan Meng Kam did not attend the press conference. The Chief Executive’s Office stated earlier that Chui Sai On is paying attention to the bribery case and awaiting the lawmakers’ versions of the facts.
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