Sin Fong | New Macau calls on CCAC to launch probe over gov’t interference

The New Macau Association (ANM) has raised doubts over the impartiality of Macau’s judiciary system and has called on the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) to investigate whether or not government officials pledged to avoid prosecuting a group of Sin Fong Garden residents who clashed with police authorities during a protest last year.
ANM president Sulu Sou and member Jason Chao submitted a petition to CCAC yesterday, urging Macau’s anti-graft agency to further investigate the case.
“We all know that we are not very confident in the independence of Macau’s judiciary system. But now it has escalated to a stage, in which officials may say that they could guarantee the acquittal of citizens. It is hugely problematic,” political activist Jason Chao told reporters.
A group of seven Sin Fong Garden proprietors have been accused of aggravated disobedience by the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) over last year’s protest and clash with authorities. Owners of apartments at Sin Fong Garden accused the government of breaking its promise to not prosecute them over the demonstration, which also included camping outside the building.
Chao stressed that, “Macau’s Basic Law clearly states that the judiciary system shall exercise its power independently without outsider interference.” The political activist recalled that, in this particular case, government officials had hinted that they would interfere with decisions made within the judiciary system.
“It is very worrying for us. So we are here to file a complaint with the CCAC and urge CCAC to launch an investigation into the disciplinary responsibilities of the relevant government officials,” Chao added.
The political activist recalled that although the current Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosário, was not responsible for this cabinet at the time, he has now been given the responsibility of investigating the case. “It was the inter-departmental group, which had made that decision or that communicated that message to Sin Fong residents. But the Secretary has the responsibility to look into the disciplinary responsibilities of his subordinates. There’s no way he can rid himself of the responsibilities now,” he reiterated.
Chao concluded by saying that he hopes to see Macau’s rule of law deciding justly, as Sin Fong residents “were just waiting for a chance go back home and did not have any intention of occupying the road [at first].”

no news on unofficial poll arrest cases

Political activist Jason Chao confirmed yesterday that he has received no news on his aggravated disobedience case. Chao and four other activists were detained in August after organizing an unofficial poll on universal suffrage. He was charged with aggravated disobedience by the police after refusing to stop collecting personal data from citizens who were casting a vote in the referendum.
“According to the Criminal Procedures Code the investigation should have been completed but at this moment I have not received any update on the case from the prosecutor,” said Jason Chao, adding that theoretically the prosecutor should eventually issue a letter stating the verdict on his prosecution.