The president of the Macau Iron and Steel Boat Owners Association, known as “Mao’s Soldier” and “Captain Macau,” staged a dramatic rooftop standoff on Monday, saying he was “provoked” into the act after enduring what he called “torture” during detention.
“I had no choice—the CCAC was hounding me to death. That’s why I stayed on the roof,” Wong explained to reporters in a press conference yesterday.
The controversy emerges during Macau’s most restrictive legislative race yet, featuring the fewest candidate lists since the SAR’s establishment. Wong’s bid was rejected after his Grassroots Mutual Help team fell 78 signatures short of requirements – a failure his campaign attributes to his detention during the critical collection period.
Detention Ordeal
Wong described being shuttled between the Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Prosecutions Office (MP), and Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) for five days, calling his treatment “torture.” “[Tuesday], I finally got to sleep properly and take a shower. I went six days without bathing or changing clothes,” he revealed according to newspaper Hoje Macau.
The arrest took place in the early hours of last Wednesday, the 11th, between 3 and 4 am, on the grounds that Wong Wai Man was running an illegal Mahjong business. He was then detained for 48 hours at a police station in Taipa, and was then transferred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) to continue giving his statement.
After this process, he was notified to appear before the CCAC, having signed the requested documents. He was then arrested again for another 48 hours and transferred back to the MP. When, already on the street, he was again informed that he would have to return to the CCAC to sign more documents, he decided to flee and take refuge on the roof.
Authorities allege he operated an illegal gambling business, but Wong maintains the Mahjong tables at his association were strictly for members’ recreation, with posted rules prohibiting cash bets. Despite his electoral setback, Wong framed his campaign as a moral victory.
“I dedicate myself to society with sincerity, not selfishness. My goal is to promote justice for the people, because traditional associations don’t truly defend them.”
He shared a deeply personal story from 2007 when doctors advised terminating his wife’s high-risk pregnancy. “I insisted, and the government eventually paid for the MOP70,000. That’s why I want to give back to ‘heaven’ by contributing to society,” Wong explained.
Wong also directed sharp criticism at Macau’s power structures saying that “rich groups, traditional associations—like the Federation of Trade Unions, the Women’s Association, the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau—receive huge government funding every year. They’re powerful and just follow orders. But what about poor citizens? “
His own association, facing imminent closure due to lease expiration, hasn’t received government subsidies since 2014, forcing Wong to personally cover all expenses. Now effectively homeless after using the office as his residence, Wong’s situation stands in stark contrast to the establishment he challenges.
“They don’t want to hear what I say—they just want us to listen to them,” Wong concluded.
