Two members of the New Macau Association (ANM), including the president of the Association, Scott Chiang, have been arrested on suspicion of being behind the hoisting of a banner on the derelict Hotel Estoril on Thursday afternoon.
On the black-colored banner hoisted shortly before the inauguration ceremony of the Wushu Masters Challenge event could be discerned (in Chinese) white characters that read “Alexis Tam: Heritage killer”.
According to online media source, Macau Concealers, Chiang and Alin Lam were caught by the police in the nearby area a few minutes after the act and were taken to the police station. There the two spent the night before being escorted to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on Friday afternoon.
Released after a four-hour hearing with the Prosecutor, from which they are required to regularly meet with authorities and are prohibited from leaving the territory, the two might face charges of invasion of property and vandalism.
However, “there are no formal charges yet as the investigation is still running,” said Scott Chiang as cited by Radio Macau. He also told the broadcaster that he will have to present himself to the police every month.
Without assuming any responsibilities over the staged protest, Chiang in the same statement accused the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, of the destruction of Macau’s heritage.
“I think more people should worry not only about the preservation of heritage, but about the actions of the government. As the banner said, now we have a serial killer who smashes any opposition; there is no discussion in society. It’s not what we want; it’s not what Macau deserves,” Chiang said, affirming that a request for the resignation of the Secretary is being considered as “Secretary Alexis Tam creates more problems than [solutions].”
Speaking at the door of the MP on Friday evening, vice president of ANM Jason Chao did not credit the action as in any way a New Macau-affiliated activity, but nevertheless reaffirmed support to the members involved.
“It is not an action initiated by the New Macau Association. We just [got to] know about it after the appearance of the banner,” he stated.
The Times tried to reach both Chiang and Chao for a comment on the topic, but was informed that more information would be provided in a press conference to be held this afternoon. RM
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