Association slammed for allegedly retracting donation

The owners of Sin Fong Garden, a residential building in Patane District that collapsed in 2012, has accused the Jiangmen Communal Society of retracting a promised donation of 100 million patacas.
Wong Man Sang, head of a federation of owners, disclosed that the explanation given for the retraction by the communal society was that they “did not have the money.” Wong learned the news on June 8, when 11 owners met with the communal society.
According to a report by local broadcaster Radio Macau, the executive vice president of the communal society stressed that the sum is a loan or an advance payment only. Local Chinese media outlet All About Macau, however, determined that the society’s founding president, Sio Tak Hong, was willing to write-off the loan if compensation could not be obtained from the original constructor.
It was also reported that the communal society paid part of the promised donation but terminated the payment in April 2019.
In 2018, the communal society hosted a “donation ceremony” for the 100 million patacas. The word “donation” is seen on the event backdrop.
In addition to the communal society, Macau businessman António Ferreira has also donated 50 million patacas to the federation for reconstruction. The Bank of China agreed to provide loans with discounted interest rates to Sin Fong Garden’s owners.
In October 2012, Sin Fong Garden reported that the building was in danger of collapsing due to structural problems – in particular, the poor-quality concrete. More than 200 residents were evacuated urgently. AL