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Next Media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying (centre) leaves ICAC headquarters in North Point yesterday. "I won't talk," he told the South China Morning Post earlier. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jimmy Lai visits ICAC headquarters 3 weeks after graft-busters raid his home

Media tycoon's unexplained trip follows raid on his home by graft-bustersc

Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying - boss of Next Media, Beijing critic and key donor to the pan-democratic camp - paid a visit to the headquarters of the city's anti-graft agency yesterday and stayed for more than two hours.

The nature of Lai's trip was unclear, as was whether he had been summoned by the ICAC or turned up of his own volition.

It is understood that he was assisting with investigations into his monetary gifts to pan- democratic parties and politicians, details of which were leaked to Hong Kong media in July.

"I will persevere in striving for universal suffrage in Hong Kong and I will continue supporting my comrades fighting for democracy," Lai told reporters before leaving the North Point premises of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in a black car at about 4.55pm. He did not answer any questions. He was earlier seen entering the building at about 2.30pm with two lawyers.

The visit follows an ICAC raid on Lai's home on August 28. The agency also searched the homes of his close aide Mark Simon, who helped his boss supply the money to lawmakers, and Labour Party legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, who admitted having received HK$1.5 million from the media tycoon.

Those raids came after leaked records showed Lai had donated millions of dollars to pan-democrats. Five lawmakers were caught in the ensuing political storm for allegedly failing to declare the funds to the legislature.

In a report to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing last night, Next Media said: "As at the time of issue of this announcement, the company has not been requested by the ICAC to provide any assistance."

Earlier yesterday, at 10.45am, Lai returned a telephone call to the as rumours swirled that he had been arrested. "I won't talk," he said, before hanging up.

Simon, a senior executive at Next Media, told the he did not know the nature of his boss' trip to the ICAC.

Asked if he thought Lai's visit had any political implications for the Occupy Central movement for democracy, which is likely to launch civil disobedience action in about two weeks, Simon said: "The kick-off August 28 search had a political edge to it, but day-by-day analysis is not my forte."

Lee had not responded to inquiries by press time. The ICAC said it would not comment.

 

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Jimmy Lai pays visit to ICAC headquarters
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