The chief nun of Hong Kong’s Ting Wai Monastery was arrested by immigration officers on Wednesday afternoon along with three other people amid allegations that she had married two monks from mainland China to help them obtain residency in Hong Kong. The Home Affairs Bureau is also investigating claims that the nun, Sik Chi Ding, mismanaged donations to the monastery in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District.

The allegations have been brought forward by solicitor Mary Jean Reimer, who serves on the monastery’s board of directors. At a press conference on Tuesday accompanied by seven monastery volunteers, Reimer alleged that Chi Ding had transferred part of more than HK$5 million in donations to a bank account under her control. She also linked a senior police officer to the missing funds, without disclosing his identity. Reimer said she has filed a petition to freeze all three of the monastery’s bank accounts.

Chi Ding issued a written statement on Tuesday that said she had reported the matter to the police, saying “I will not speculate on the motives behind Ms. Reimer’s recent acts. The matter has been passed to my lawyer and I will not comment further.” (South China Morning Post)

Reimer launched a fund-raising campaign for the monastery in March after learning that it was in poor condition and could not afford maintenance, and more than HK$5 million (US$645,000) was raised in six months. She has accused Chi Ding of bypassing a bank account designated for maintenance funds and transferring funds to an account under her control. Reimer said she came across the mismanagement of funds while working as a volunteer. Other volunteers working for the monastery have also reported anomalies with Chi Ding’s lifestyle and raised questions about spending by the institution.

“After we confronted her, she paid back more than HK$400,000 and she said it was the maximum she could repay,” Reimer said, adding that she did not know how much money was missing. Reimer has applied for a court order for the monastery to disclose its full financial records. (South China Morning Post)