Former Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) president Jackson Chang, also known as Cheong Chou Weng, stayed mum during yesterday’s hearing in a trial where he’s facing 18 charges for a range of serious crimes, such as membership of a criminal organisation, abuse of power, corruption, breach of secrecy, money laundering, and false income declarations.
Chang has been remanded in custody since July 2019.
The trial comprises 26 defendants, many of who are being tried in absentia or default. Only 10 of the defendants appeared in court yesterday, including ex-IPIM senior executives Glória Batalha Ung and Miguel Ian It Chun.
According to the Public Prosecution, the defendants were involved in graft scheme based on the institute’s granting of residence permits to investors and professionals. Allegedly, the scheme generated some 10 million patacas in bribes and other kinds of kickbacks.
The defendants include Chang’s wife and daughter. The trial continues today.
IPIM graft trial co-defendant Glória Batalha Ung (front, centre) leaves the Court of First Instance (TJB) after yesterday’s trial hearing, accompanied by her lawyer Pedro Leal (front, left). Photo: MPDG
