CEMETERY CASE | Raymond Tam is found innocent

Raymond Tam

The Court of First Instance (TJB) has announced that the former president of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Raymond Tam, and another three suspects, are not guilty of involvement in an irregular cemetery grave granting process.
The four suspects – Tam, Lei Wai Nong, Fong Vai Seng and Sio Kuok Kun – have been accused of malfeasance, as they allegedly delayed the delivery of documents requested by the Public Prosecution Office (MP) regarding permanent graves in the cemetery of S. Miguel Arcanjo. The case dates back to 2001, when an acquaintance of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, was granted a permanent cemetery grave by the former provisional city hall.
According to Dr. Lam Peng Fai, president of the collegial panel, the court could not confirm that any of the suspects purposely hid related documents pertaining to the ten permanent graves. Besides, the grant took place during the period of the provisional Municipal Bureau (former IACM), a time when the four suspects did not participate in the procedure. The court believes that there was no threat of the suspects benefiting, looking back upon MP’s investigation. Lam said that the court could not infer that the four suspects had criminal intent. Given that the accusation failed to meet the conditions of malfeasance, the president pronounced the four suspects innocent.
The Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice expressed in a statement that the government respects the court’s decision. However, suspensions will be continued until the court decision is res judicata. Tam and Lei have been suspended from their positions since last June.
After the judgment, Tam told the press: “I have been trusting the judiciary system. The court has also made a just verdict, which proves my innocence and clears my name.” Asked if he would stay in IACM, Tam said that he had no additional comments for the moment, and left the venue.
Lei Wai Nong, the suspended vice president, said that the verdict is a “return of justice” to a civil servant. And he says that not only the court, but the public “also has the answer.”
Lawyer Paulina Alves dos Santos, who is assisting in the process, said that she is “surprised” at the result. Although being against the verdict, she decided not to file an appeal, despite owning the legal right to do so. “I contributed a lot helping the MP in this case. (…) My family and I faced many pressures during the case. You [journalists] know the reason, and thus I don’t need to explain. And the case also affected my work.” Santos said that the MP can decide whether to make the appeal or not, but she would not provide assistance.
In 2012, Paulina Santos was dismissed from the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), and alleged that she was being exposed to political persecution as a consequence of having brought to light the case of ten permanent cemetery applications, which involved the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan. Ms Santos had previously been dismissed from her post as president of the administrative council of the Industrial Parks Development Co. Ltd (SDPIM).

paulina alves booed outside court

Yesterday, a group of people gathered in the lobby of the building while journalists were waiting for interview opportunities in the same venue. Safety guards insisted that the press were blocking the way and urged journalists to leave. When lawyer Paulina Alves dos Santos came out from the lift and was answering questions from journalists, loud music was suddenly played in the lobby. Santos and the press had to move to the hall beside the lobby. The unidentified group booed her and took pictures. When Tam and Lei arrived in the lobby, the unidentified group applauded and cheered. After answering journalists’ questions, Tam said, “Please give me some time to greet my colleagues,” and walked toward the group. Lei Wai Nong shook hands with some members of the group who are believed to be IACM staff.

Grace Yu