S Biggest Ever Corruption Trial Concludes with Record Long Jail Sentence

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Macau’s biggest ever corruption trial concludes with record long jail sentence The Court of Final Appeal of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has sentenced former SAR Secretary for Public Works and Transport Ao Man Long to 27 years in jail. The 51- year-old official is guilty of 57 of the 76 charges, which include corruption, money laundering, abuse of power and related crimes. In his over two-hour long readout of a summary of the verdict on Wednesday, TUI President Sam Hou Fai said in light of Ao’s bribery cases and related illicit activities of money laundering, the former secretary turned his official duty into „a money collecting machine“, impairing public interest for his own benefit, therefore, his criminal behavior is „predatory“ and „insatiably greedy“. „The court has ruled (on the case) in accordance with the law, I think it is very just,“ said Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah after being notified of the verdict on Wednesday. According to the verdict, the 51-year-old is guilty of 57 of the 76 charges, which include 41 counts of corruption, 30 counts of money laundering, two counts of abuse of power, and one count each of false statement, unexplained wealth and illicit business activities. In addition, the court also ruled that Ao’s illicitly acquired assets, worth USD 31.6 million and some of his properties, such as a villa in London Ao reportedly bought for five million pounds several years ago, be confiscated by the SAR government. Ao’s lawyer Nuno Simoes, although admitting the trial is just, said the sentence was still too heavy for his client and will meet with Ao and decide on appealing in the next few days. But the Court of Final Appeal has announced that Macao’s current judicial system does not provide for the possibility of an appeal against any of its sentences. Ao Man Long is the highest official ever charged with corruption in the SAR. Due to his seniority, Ao was tried by a three-judge panel at the Court of Final Appeal. Arrested in December, 2006, Ao’s trial began in November 2007 and concluded about a month later at the Court of Final Appeal, in which some 100 witnesses were called in by the attorney general. He was accused of amassing a personal fortune of more than USD 100 million dollars between 2002 and 2006 by taking kickbacks for at least 41 public works and private development projects, including casino projects. The government should „establish a more effective monitoring system to prevent corruption,“ said Ng Kwok Cheung, a member of the SAR’s Legislative Assembly. „Public projects with investment exceeding USD 5 million should be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for examination and approval,“ he proposed, adding that the land law should also be revised to avoid any fraudulence in the process of land granting. Macao’s Commission against Corruption said in a press statement released on Wednesday that the verdict delivered by the court reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed by Ao and the punishment he deserves, and the commission will continue investigation on other cases involving Ao. Meanwhile, the trial of Ao’s four family members, including Ao’s father, Ao Veng Kong, Ao’s wife Chan Meng Ieng, brother Ao Man Fu and his sister-in-law Ao Chan Wa Choi, and some „business associates“ are also underway at the Court of First Instance. The family members are charged with six to 14 counts of money laundering activities after allegedly receiving bribes from businessmen Ho Meng Fai, Chan Tong Sang and Frederico Nolasco da Silva. The prosecutor alleged that the money was deposited in off- shore shell companies when Ao Man Long was still serving as the secretary for transport and public works and before he was detained by the Commission against Corruption on December 6, 2006..

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Executive Summary Macau Became a Special Administrative Region
Executive Summary Macau became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, 1999. Macau's status, since reverting to Chinese sovereignty, is defined in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration (1987) and the Basic Law, Macau's constitution. Under the concept of “One Country, Two Systems” articulated in these documents, Macau enjoys a high degree of autonomy in economic matters, and its economic system is to remain unchanged for fifty years. The Government of Macau (GOM) maintains a transparent, non-discriminatory, and free-market economy. The GOM is committed to maintaining an investor-friendly environment. In 2002, the GOM ended a long-standing gaming monopoly, awarding two gaming concessions to consortia with U.S. interests. This opening has encouraged substantial U.S. investment in casinos and hotels, and has spurred exceptionally rapid economic growth over the last few years. Macau is today the undisputed gaming capital of the world, having surpassed Las Vegas in terms of gambling revenue in 2006. U.S. investment over the past decade is estimated to exceed US$10 billion. In addition to gaming, Macau is positioning itself to be a regional center for incentive travel, conventions, and tourism. The American business community in Macau has continued to grow. In 2007, business leaders founded the American Chamber of Commerce of Macau. 1. Openness to, and Restrictions Upon, Foreign Investment Macau became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, 1999. Macau's status, since reverting to Chinese sovereignty, is defined in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration (1987) and the Basic Law, Macau's constitution.
[Show full text]
Hong Kong and Macau Commercial Guide
Hong Kong and Macau Table of Contents Market Overview _________________________________ 8 Hong Kong _____________________________________________ 8 Macau ________________________________________________ 9 Market Challenges __________________________________ 10 Hong Kong ____________________________________________ 10 Macau ________________________________________________ 11 Market Opportunities ________________________________ 11 Hong Kong _____________________________________________ 11 Macau _______________________________________________ 12 Market Entry Strategy ________________________________ 13 Hong Kong ____________________________________________ 13 Macau _______________________________________________ 13 Political Environment _____________________________ 13 Political Environment ________________________________ 13 Selling U.S. Products & Services _______________________ 13 Using an Agent to Sell U.S. Products and Services ________________ 13 Establishing an Office ________________________________ 14 Hong Kong ____________________________________________ 14 Macau _______________________________________________ 15 Franchising ______________________________________ 15 Direct Marketing ___________________________________ 16 Joint Ventures/Licensing ______________________________ 17 Selling to the Government ______________________________ 17 Hong Kong SAR Government Procurement __________________________ 17 Macau SAR Government Procurement ____________________________ 19 Project Financing ___________________________________ 19 Distribution
[Show full text]
PORTUGAL E MACAU QUE CHÃO HÁ.Pdf
Portugal e Macau Que Chão Há? David Filipe Loureiro Branco Dissertação de Mestrado em Ciência Política e Relações Internacionais Janeiro de 2019 Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciência Política e Relações Internacionais, realizada sob a orientação científica do Professor Doutor Manuel Filipe Canaveira À minha Sasá II PORTUGAL E MACAU: QUE CHÃO HÁ? DAVID FILIPE LOUREIRO BRANCO RESUMO Esta dissertação analisa a possibilidade de aproximar Macau às prioridades estratégicas portuguesas por razão da preservação da sua herança, da substância da ideologia sínica e da ascensão chinesa no Sistema Internacional. Macau, porque teve Portugal no contexto, é mais livre do que outras regiões da China por via da sua excepcionalidade administrativa e tem uma língua, embora residual, e uma cultura que são activamente valorizadas pelo Estado chinês. Tal é evidente pela criação do Fórum Macau logo em 2003 e ainda pela inclusão de directrizes para tal aproximação no XIII Plano Quinquenal (de 2016). A diplomacia aspirante universalista portuguesa – hoje, por força das circunstâncias, com um espírito mais delicado do que a sua visão tradicionalmente irreal – inclui, antes de o ser, também os países lusófonos, embora atrás da Europa e do Atlântico. Se a China pretende, na continuação de uma estratégia de reunificação nacional e de diálogo e acção internacional, usar Macau para a lusofonia, a lusofonia, com um argumento para se discutir, tem de o debater. Neste trabalho é examinada a história de Macau, o panorama actual da Região Administrativa Especial e as estratégias de Portugal e da China. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Macau, Portugal, China, Estratégia, Política Externa, Lusofonia, União Europeia (UE), Fórum Macau.
[Show full text]
Anti-Corruptionanti-Corruption
Annual Report of the CCAC 2 0 0 6 CHAPTERCHAPTER IVIV ANTI-CORRUPTIONANTI-CORRUPTION Annual Report of the CCAC 2 0 0 6 Chapter IV – Anti-corruption While 2006 presented many challenges, the year also represented a significant milestone for anti-corruption. During this period the CCAC has nabbed several cases involving a great number of people, and which caused extensive reverberations - the most significant of which was the corruption case involving transport and public works, the result of a lengthy in-depth investigation. This case involved the most senior local official ever to be indicted, the largest dollar bribes, and the most far-flung ramifications since the establishment of the Macao SAR. All in all, it was a watershed year for anti-corruption forces. In 2006, the courts conducted trials and pronounced on many cases uncovered by the CCAC. Among these were 3 electoral cases, a case in which a former marine policeman (a customs officer) was accused of receiving bribes; and a case in which a former employee of the Finance Services Bureau being charged of corruption. The judgement of these cases had an important impact on prompting the anti-corruption work in Macao. In addition, international assessment institutions have assigned a positive rating to the integrity situation of Macao. In order to combat cross-regional corruption in 2006, the CCAC had consolidated cooperation with neighbouring regions for joint investigations while enhancing exchange and collaboration opportunities with international anti-corruption organs. Internally, the CCAC continued to hold professional training activities at various levels for its personnel to advance the investigative ability of its officers.
[Show full text]
National Security
FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Kowie Geldenhuys EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paulo Coutinho www.macaudailytimes.com.mo FRIDAY T. 17º/ 19º Air Quality Moderate MOP 8.00 3441 “ THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ ” N.º 20 Dec 2019 HKD 10.00 PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA RAISES XI’S SCARING CASINO EXECUTIVES BEGIN TO THE DAILY LIMIT ON REMITTANCES QUESTION WHETHER JAPAN’S $20 FROM MACAU TO MAINLAND AWAY GAMBLERS: BILLION JACKPOT IS WORTH ALL ACCOUNTS TO RMB80,000 ANALYSTS THE TROUBLE P4 P4 P6 China Controversy has erupted after a leading Chinese university revised its charter to remove a MDT REVIEW P15-23 reference to “free thinking” and adding a new stress on adhering to the leadership AP PHOTO of the ruling Communist Party, Marxism and socialist theories of education. The changes at Fudan University in Shanghai were revealed earlier this week and reflect the atmosphere of increasing academic control and conservatism under the administration of party leader and head of state Xi Jinping. More on p27 AP PHOTO China Chinese tech companies including social media giant Tencent were ordered by regulators yesterday to clean up how their apps handle user information or face possible penalties.The order is the latest in a series of crackdowns by Communist authorities who encourage internet use but are steadily tightening censorship and other controls on operators. Violators in earlier crackdowns have lost licenses or suffered other penalties that cut into revenue or depressed their company’s share price. AP PHOTO Indonesia Five Papuan pro- independence students and a rights activist went on trial yesterday on charges of treason after waving morning star flags that are a separatist symbol during a peaceful protest XI JINPING in front of Indonesia’s presidential palace.
[Show full text]
Anti-Corruptionanti-Corruption
Annual Report of the CCAC 2007 CHAPTERCHAPTER IVIV ANTI-CORRUPTIONANTI-CORRUPTION 23 Annual Report of the CCAC 2007 Chapter VI – Anti-corruption In 2007, the CCAC received 500 reports concerning criminal offences, a 15% decrease on the 586 reports received in 2006. Some 133 of the complaints were qualified to be follow- up; of these, 66 were commenced for investigation following preliminary screening, a 22% increase over that of the previous year. Some 28 cases were proactively initiated by the CCAC, in addition to cases carried over from 2006, which amounted to 113 criminal cases that re- quired processing in 2007. An additional 18 cases were requests of mutual case assistance from overseas counterparts. The CCAC brought 34 cases to a close in 2007, of which 11 were referred to the Public Prosecutions Office, and chiefly related to corruption by public servants, fraud, solicitation of bribes and abuse of power. 6 cases investigated by the CCAC - 3 of which concerned misdeeds in Legislative Assembly Elections - were subsequently heard by court. While the number of reports is declining year on year, the criminal cases commenced for investigation by the CCAC in 2007 rose by 22.2% over those of the year before, amounting to some 66. This was due to CCAC’s closer attention to social change, making proactive inspec- tions when signs of graft appeared, and following up on new cases related to the Ao Man Long case. The cases proactively established by the CCAC on the two fronts together amounted to 28, the most in recent years. 4.1 The Ao Man Long Corruption and Power Abuse Case One of the most important missions of the CCAC in 2007 was the completion of in- vestigations of the Ao Man Long corruption and power abuse case plus the subsequent referral of the case to the Public Prosecutions Office for court proceedings.
[Show full text]
Consultative Governance, Legitimacy Problem and Democracy Deficit in Macau
Consultative Governance, Legitimacy Problem and Democracy Deficit in Macau Sonny Shiu-Hing LO∗ 1. Introduction 2. The Modes and Problems of Consultative Governance in Macau Since the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) of the People’s Republic Consultation with the public is arguably a significant of China (PRC) on 20th December 1999, the MSAR way of reinventing the government and making it more governance has been characterized by a consultative style. approachable or accessible to the ordinary citizens, thus This feature was prominent during the Edmund Ho Hau narrowing the gap between the rulers and the ruled Wah administration from 1999 to 2009, whereas the (Osborne and Plastrik, 1997; OECD, 2001; Davis and current Fernando Chui Sai On government is elevating Weller, 2001). From a comparative perspective, consultative governance as a “sunshine policy.” Indeed, consultative governance can be seen in many city-states, from a comparative perspective, consultative governance especially Macau’s neighbour the Hong Kong Special is aimed at legitimizing any regime; nevertheless, in the Administrative Region (HKSAR). Consultative govern- case of the MSAR, consultative governance has arguably ance in the HKSAR has taken the form of establishing been marked by not only a persistent effort by various various grassroots level institutions, such as District government agencies to collect public opinion qualita- Councils, District Management Committees, Mutual Aid tively but also a democracy deficit. This democracy Committees and Owners Corporations, to improve the deficit is defined here as the absence of sufficient way in which local administration is governed (Lo, 2001). governmental efforts at institutionalizing and stimulating This consultative style is not new because the British citizen participation in the processes of public policy- colonial authorities had long injected various consultative making and formulation (Bovard, 2005; Institute on committees to tap the views of interest groups and Governance, 2005; Bekkers, 2007).
[Show full text]
Data Supplement
2/2006 Data Supplement PR China Hong Kong SAR Macau SAR Taiwan Institut für Asienkunde Hamburg CHINA aktuell Journal of Current Chinese Aﬀairs Data Supplement People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan ISSN 0943-7533 All information given here is derived from generally accessible sources. Publisher/Distributor: Institute of Asian Aﬀairs Rothenbaumchaussee 32 20148 Hamburg Germany Phone: (0 40) 42 88 74-0 Fax:(040)4107945 Contributors: Uwe Kotzel Dr. Liu Jen-Kai Christine Reinking Dr. Günter Schucher Dr. Margot Schüller Contents The Main National Leadership of the PRC LIU JEN-KAI 3 The Main Provincial Leadership of the PRC LIU JEN-KAI 22 Data on Changes in PRC Main Leadership LIU JEN-KAI 27 PRC Agreements with Foreign Countries LIU JEN-KAI 32 PRC Laws and Regulations LIU JEN-KAI 34 Hong Kong SAR Political Data LIU JEN-KAI 36 Macau SAR Political Data LIU JEN-KAI 39 Taiwan Political LIU JEN-KAI 41 CHINA aktuell Data Supplement - 3 - 2/2006 Dep.Dir.: CHINESE COMMUNIST Li Jianhua 03/07 PARTY Li Zhiyong 05/07 The Main National Ouyang Song 05/08 Shen Yueyue (f) CCa 03/01 Leadership of the Sun Xiaoqun 00/08 Wang Dongming 02/10 CCP CC General Secretary Zhang Bolin (exec.) 98/03 PRC Hu Jintao 02/11 Zhao Hongzhu (exec.) 00/10 Zhao Zongnai 00/10 Liu Jen-Kai POLITBURO Sec.-Gen.: Li Zhiyong 01/03 Standing Committee Members Propaganda (Publicity) Department Hu Jintao 92/10 Dir.: Liu Yunshan PBm CCSm 02/10 Huang Ju 02/11 Dep.Dir.: Jia Qinglin 02/11 Gao Junliang 00/10 Li Changchun 02/11 Guo Yiqiang 04/05 (Changes are underlined) Luo
[Show full text]
CASINO GAMING in MACAU: EVOLUTION, REGULATION and CHALLENGES Jorge Godinho*
\\jciprod01\productn\N\NVG\5-1\NVG101.txt unknown Seq: 1 2-JUN-14 12:23 CASINO GAMING IN MACAU: EVOLUTION, REGULATION AND CHALLENGES Jorge Godinho* ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of the evolution of the legal framework applicable to the casino gaming industry in Macau. The focus is on the evolu- tion of the system of concessions and sub concessions, the regulation of gaming promoters, the complex VIP segment, as well as the anti-money laundering requirements. A final section considers the rapidly growing competition posed by the spread of gaming in various jurisdictions in the region. Overall, while casino gaming grew exponentially in recent years, there are numerous issues from the past which pose future challenges. I. INTRODUCTION: A TOTAL DEPENDENCY ON GAMING Macau, while under colonial Portuguese rule,1 first legalized the commer- cial operation of games of chance in 1849, starting with the game of fantan .2 This decision of then Governor Ferreira do Amaral (g. 1846-1849) was made in order to generate desperately needed tax revenue, essential to sustain * Jorge Godinho, PhD (European University Institute, Florence), Law lic. (Univ. Lisbon), LLM (Univ. Macau) is a legal consultant and a visiting professor at the University of Macau, where he teaches gaming law and anti-money laundering law. He was a full-time assistant and associate professor at the University of Macau from 2004 to 2013, where he served as the coordinator of the Master and postgraduate program in International Business Law. Jorge Godinho has a number of books and academic publications in Portuguese, English and French; some of his works are translated into Chinese.
[Show full text]
Comparative Corruption Scandals in Macau: the Cases of Ao Man-Long
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2517-679X.htm Comparative Comparative corruption scandals corruption in Macau: the cases of Ao Man-long scandals in and Ho Chio-meng Macau Sonny S.H. Lo 47 The University of Hong Kong Received 9 November 2019 Revised 25 December 2019 Abstract Accepted 27 February 2020 Purpose – This paper aims at comparing and contrasting the Ao Man-long scandal with the Ho Chio-meng case in Macau, drawing lessons from the two events and casting lights on the literature on corruption scandals. Design/methodology/approach – The study used documentary research and interpretative and analytical approaches. Findings – The two cases show considerable administrative discretion on the part of the principal officials involved, and remedial measures along the line of having more rigorous and frequent internal auditing may be necessary. Originality/value – Original analyses were conducted together with literature review and documentary research. This paper would be of interest to scholars and practitioners concerned with how Macau combats corruption. Keywords Corruption scandals, Macau, Public maladministration, Auditing, Administrative discretion Paper type Research paper Introduction Since the return of its administrative right and sovereignty from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on 20 December 1999, the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) has witnessed two major corruption scandals – the Ao Man-long case and the Ho Chio-meng case. Ao Man-long, a former Secretary of Public Works and Transport, was arrested in December 2006 and found guilty in 2008 for taking bribes, money laundering and abusing his power.
[Show full text]
The Theory and Practice of “One-Country-Two-Systems” in Macao
1 The Theory and Practice of “One-Country-Two-Systems” in Macao Herbert S. YEE Beijing designed a “one country, two systems” formula to solve the problem of ruling Hong Kong after its reversion to China in July 1997. Article 5 of the Hong Kong Basic Law stipulates that “the socialist system and policies shall not be practiced in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.” The “Preamble” of the Hong Kong Basic Law stipulates that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) adopts the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” to maintain the “prosperity and stability” of Hong Kong by “taking account of its history and realities”. The “realities” were many Hong Kong people did not trust the PRC and had fled the territory after the start of Sino-British negotiations on Hong Kong’s handover in the early 1980s. China has since 1978 adopted a policy of “reform and opening” and a prosperous and stable Hong Kong would be a great asset to the mainland as a “window” for its opening policy. In any event, the PRC did not have any experience in ruling a “capitalist” Hong Kong and the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” might also appeal to Taiwan as a probable formula for reunification. The PRC authorizes, as stipulated in the Hong Kong Basic Law Article 2, the HKSAR “to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, in accordance with the provisions of this Law.” The HKSAR also enjoys 3 © 2014 City University of Hong Kong 4 China’s Macao Transformed: Challenge & Development in the 21st Century independent finances.
[Show full text]
Anti-Corruption
Annual Report of the CCAC 2007 1 Annual Report of the CCAC 2007 CONTENTS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION----------------------------------------------------------------5 CHAPTER II CONSTITUTION & ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE-----------------11 2.1 Constitution------------------------------------------------------------12 2.2 Functions and Organization Structure--------------------------12 2.3 Monitoring Committee for the Discipline of the CCAC Personnel--14 CHAPTER III GENERAL DESCRIPTION WITH STATISTICS--------------------------------15 3.1 Number of Complaints Recorded--------------------------------16 3.2 Complaint Handling Methods------------------------------------------------18 3.3 Progress Analysis of Cases -------------------------------------------------------21 3.4 Cases Handled by the Monitoring Committee for the Discipline of the CCAC Personnel--------------------------------------------------------22 CHAPTER IV ANTI-CORRUPTION------------------------------------------------------23 4.1 The Ao Man Long Corruption and Power Abuse Case-------------------24 4.2 Case Concluded and Referred to Public Prosecutions Office--29 4.3 Mutual Case Assistance in Cross-Regional Investigations, Exchange & Training------------------------------------------------------37 4.4 Evaluation of Incorruptibility in Macao by International Institutions--39 4.5 Cases Adjudicated by the Court-----------------------------------------39 4.6 Declaration of Incomes and Properties----------------------------------42 CHAPTER V OMBUDSMAN-------------------------------------------------------45
[Show full text]