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Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong (left) in jail. Photo: Edward Wong

Disgraced Rafael Hui may seek legal aid for appeal, says wife who 'kept her finances separate'

'I'm not stupid, we kept finances separate,' says former chief secretary's spouse after jail visit

Rafael Hui

The wife of Rafael Hui Si-yan yesterday broke her silence for the first time since his graft trial started, as the chief secretary turned criminal endured his first night behind bars with a dinner that "tasted like hospital food" and a draughty room.

Appearing calm and modest, Teresa Lo Mei-mei said her disgraced husband, 66, would "certainly appeal" against his five convictions of bribery and misconduct in public office, possibly with the help of legal aid.

Despite having a free-spending spouse, Lo said she controlled her own money. "I am not stupid and we always kept our finances separate," she said outside Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.

After a night in which temperatures plunged to about 10 degrees Celsius, Lo arrived at the maximum-security facility on Butterfly Valley Road at 9.30am and visited Hui for 90 minutes.

The former government No 2, now in a standard prisoner's outfit, had an uncomfortable sleep as it was "cold inside", Lo said. The man who for years was used to wining and dining also had his first taste of prison portions.

Asked if she would pay his legal fees, Lo said: "Since Mr Hui is bankrupt, he may consider getting legal aid when lodging an appeal."

Her husband had admitted showering millions of dollars on a Shanghai mistress, in a lavish lifestyle Lo said was a "great shortcoming" she never interfered in. "Would he listen to me if I asked him to buy fewer things? I didn't want to be a naggy wife," she said.

The only thing she could do was to keep separate personal finances for her own sake, the retiree said. "I saved up the money I earned from work and bought myself a car. He bought whatever he liked and misspent in big amounts - but that didn't land me in trouble at all," Lo said.

She said she was prepared for any legal outcome that "destiny deems appropriate".

A friend of Hui said the former political star had been footing family expenses on top of his own spending throughout the years, while Lo, who was also a civil servant, had saved up her income for personal use. "She is not super rich, but she can certainly sustain herself. If need be, we [Hui's] friends will be happy to help them," the friend said.

The friend added: "He has come to terms with the situation and said it was a destiny he could not run away from."

Hui and Lo have been married for 40 years. But Lo was noticeably absent from Hui's side for the 131 days he attended court for Hong Kong's biggest graft case.

"I would like to give some advice to couples, married or not: smart ladies had better keep your money in your own pocket, because you never know what will happen, whether life will deal you a good or bad hand," she said.

No Kwoks visited Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong, the former Sun Hung Kai Properties co-chairman found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, involving HK$8.5 million. His legal team spent about an hour inside the centre.

Meanwhile, Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, the acquitted chairman of SHKP, returned to his office at Sun Hung Kai Centre in Wan Chai, another source said.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Rafael Hui may turn to legal aid for appeal: wife
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