Mary Jean Reimer returns as whistleblower on misplaced donations, sham marriages and monasteries gone bad
She says she prefers the quiet life, but former actress Mary Jean Reimer is back in the media spotlight fighting a cause that is close to her heart
Mary Jean Reimer acts out of conscience. The legendary actress-turned-lawyer says she has entered the spotlight again simply so she can sleep easy at night. In doing so she has put herself in the eye of another media storm.
"I'm a retired person, a housewife. I'm not fighting for anything. I'm not running for Legco or becoming a politician," says Reimer. "But can I walk away from this fraud? I can't do that."
HOW IT STARTED: Director accuses chief nun of 'sham marriage, embezzlement' in Hong Kong monastery
Reimer is referring to the recent controversial case of Sik Chi Ding, the abbess of Ting Wai Monastery in Tai Po, who allegedly pocketed millions in donations and is accused of two sham marriages with mainland monks.
Reimer feels responsible for what happened and has played a modern day Sherlock Holmes in the latest episode of her colourful life, seeking to expose dirt swept under Buddhist robes and expose a woman she had initially tried to help.
"I believe that it's a blessing to become a holy person, and one should cherish that," says the 51-year-old. "It's the worst nightmare. I don't feel angry. I'm feeling very sad instead. It's a sad situation. I feel sorry for her."