Albert Ho Barred From Macau As 'security Threat'

Former Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho was denied entry to Macau on Friday afternoon in what he said was an “obviously political” decision.

Ho said he had travelled to Macau by ferry along with two other people, when he was stopped by the authorities there.

He said he told officials that he was in town to meet with lawyers to discuss issues pertaining to the will of deceased Macau businesswoman Winnie Ho, but they did not accept his explanation.

The former lawmaker and current chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China said after a one-and-a-half hour delay, they gave him a document which said he was being denied entry because he would endanger public safety if he was allowed to enter.

“I don’t know how I could possible be a security threat. This is obviously a political decision. Whether it’s reasonable is for you to decide”, Ho said.

He expressed surprised at the move, questioning whether he was barred because the trip took place close to National Day on Tuesday.

But he noted that he last visited the territory with no problems at another politically sensitive time – close to June 4th.

Ho further said the officials did not conduct a search, or look at his phone, before deciding to send him back to Hong Kong. “This is obviously unreasonable”, he complained.