Macau leader denies wrongdoing over 100m yuan university donation
Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai-on conceded there had been a ‘miscommunication’ but stood firm on the legality of the donation
The leader of Macau, at centre of a row over favouritism involving 100 million yuan (HK$119 million) of public funds donated to a mainland university, has denied any wrongdoing.
Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai-on broke his silence on the brewing controversy yesterday, and blamed “miscommunication” among the parties involved for the saga. He offered an apology for the controversy and conceded “there is room for improvement”.
But he said the 100 million yuan had been approved in accordance with established procedures.
Controversy arose last week after mainland media reported the donation by the public Macau Foundation to Jinan University to mark the 110th anniversary of the Guangzhou institution.
A Macau government spokesman said the donation would be used to support the construction of two new dormitory facilities for students from Macau and Hong Kong.
But critics said there was a conflict of interest. Chui is the deputy head of the university’s board and chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees. His brother, Chui Sai-cheong, heads the foundation’s supervisory board.
The news sparked public outcry in Macau and four groups plan to hold a protest on Sunday, demanding Fernando Chui step down.
Yesterday, Chui said an announcement about the donation was supposedly made by the foundation and the university at the same time. And he did not know why the university broke the news on its own last week.
“There is perhaps some miscommunication. I am sorry about that. There is certainly room for improvement,” said the chief executive, who however rejected accusations of favouritism.
“Because of established practice, I sit on both the Macau Foundation and also the Jinan University board. I don’t receive salary or have interests in any form performing the two duties.”
