Association condemned for 'harboring absconders'
Top News | Michael Shum 19 Jun 2024
The government says it is "strongly" condemning the Christian Zheng Sheng Association for allegedly harboring its absconded former directors - founder Jacob Lam Hay-sing and principal Alman Chan Siu-cheuk - who are at the center of a donation controversy involving HK$50 million.
In a statement last night, the government said the Security Bureau's Narcotics Division immediately met with the newly elected board of the association after saying it will roll out policies on the soon-to-be-defunct Christian Zheng Sheng College, a private school for drug offenders in Ha Keng, Lantau, "in a responsible manner."
However, the government suspected that the association board's claims and behavior might have been "deviating from the facts."
It added: "The association has claimed that the college will cease operation due to financial difficulties, but the new board passed a motion immediately in its first meeting to refuse to recover the HK$50 million raised in the name of the Christian Zheng Sheng College by Lam and Chan," the government said.
The association again refused to recover the funds despite requests by the Narcotics Division, the government said.
"This has clearly shown that the board has no intention to help the teachers and students of CZSC, while it is also suspected of harboring absconders," it said.
The government also suspected the association of lying last Wednesday when it said it cut ties with Lam and Chan and added they no longer have the authority to direct the board.
It is believed that Lam has fled to the United States and Chan to the United Kingdom.
"However, we found out that the two absconders are still directors of CZSC and a foundation under the association, and they still have access to the association's bank accounts," the government said.
It also said the board has yet to put forward any concrete proposal to solve the adversities faced by the college two months after new board members took office, and has failed to demonstrate its commitment and ability to manage.
"The board refused to recover the money from the absconders or passed a motion for it, and published untrue statements in an attempt to mislead the public," the government said.
"We therefore have reason to believe that it is untrue that the association has cut ties with Lam and Chan."
The government said the board failed to properly execute its duties and condoned the fugitives, saying that it lost faith in the new board members.
"Relevant departments will provide the most appropriate assistance and arrangements for the students after the school's closure, while law enforcement will follow up on matters related to CZSC and the association in accordance with the law," it added.
