New Macau head deemed suspect in public disorder case

Scott Chiang (center) pictured during the May 15 demonstration against the Macau Foundation donation to Jinan University

The president of New Macau Association (ANM), Scott Chiang, was brought in by the Public Security Police Force for questioning yesterday, as predicted a day earlier by the group’s leadership. Chiang has now been named a suspect in a case of disorderly conduct.
Chiang is being investigated for his part in organizing a May 15 protest against a RMB100 million (MOP123 million) donation to Jinan University, which demanded the Chief Executive’s resignation.
“I met with the police [yesterday] for around an hour and they asked me some questions. I have been declared a suspect [in a case] of disobedience,” Chiang told the Times.
Chiang said that he was unable to disclose the details of his questioning as “the case is still ongoing,” but asserted that Macau authorities seem more interested in building a case against him than looking into some of the complaints raised by the protest.
Jason Chao, ANM’s vice president, on Wednesday said that police actions in the investigation show signs of “political persecution” due to the victimization of individuals who raised issues during the protest.
“They are trying to fabricate a case against those who actually go on the street and those who are against the funding,” he said. “It is disheartening to see that the administration did not respond to our demand for reform.”
The RMB100 million donation to Jinan University via the Macau Foundation drew criticism last month after some speculated that Chief Executive Chui Sai On had abused his position of power. Chui is being accused of using his ties to the mainland education institution to facilitate the monetary transfer.
The large-scale demonstration called for greater transparency in the Macau Foundation and demanded Chui’s resignation, with protestors chanting, “Chui Sai On, resign!”
Organizers say that as many as 3,300 may have attended the demonstration, while the police put their estimate at just 1,100.
Critics of the government have also called on authorities to answer why the significant donation occurred against the setback of recent cuts to Macau’s own educational institutions. The government says that the two are unrelated.
Members of ANM have been detained by the police before. In August 2014, then-president Jason Chao as well as four volunteers were detained by the police after holding a public referendum on whether the MSAR should adopt universal suffrage and pursue democratic development. The ANM members were arrested for allegedly violating the personal data protection law in recording the responses.
According to Scott Chiang, Chao was also detained on June 30, following a protest against lawmaker Melinda Chan.