HONG KONG: Nina Wang was capable of making important decisions in the days leading up to her death, counsel for fung shui master Tony Chan told the Court of First Instance yesterday.

Ian Mill, counsel for Chan who holds the 2006 will that claims Wang's estate, made the assertion when questioning Wang's personal secretary Dinly Au about the events leading up to Wang's death.

Au told the court on day 18 of the probate trial that her boss was feeling unwell on October 16, 2006, the date when the 2006 will was signed, and she had found Wang lying on a sofa in the office in pain.

Also testifying yesterday, Ricky Leung Chi-to, the former executive assistant manager of L'Hotel where Wang had stayed, said the hotel had purchased wheelchairs around September or October 2006 for Wang's needs.

He told the court that Wang's situation at that time was deteriorating. He said that whenever Wang alighted from her vehicle, he had to convey her to her room with a wheelchair.

Leung said he was told by a room attendant that on a few occasions Wang was unable to dress herself and asked the attendant to assist her.

Mill also asked Au about the re-shuffle of the governors for the Chinachem Charitable Foundation shortly before Wang's death on April 3, 2007.

Au told the court that she met Wang at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on March 5, 2007. She told Wang that her godson Anthony Cheung, who carried Wang's portrait at her funeral on April 18, 2007, suggested re-shuffling the foundation.

Cheung suggested that he, Wang's youngest sister Kung Yan-sum and Chinachem's project management and construction department head Heng Kim-thiam be appointed as the foundation's governors.

Wang looked nervous upon hearing the suggestion, telling Au that apart from Kung, no changes should be made as suggested by Cheung.

Au met Wang again in the hospital on March 31, 2007, to ask Wang whether she agreed to appoint her siblings, which include younger brother Kung Yan-sum and sister Molly Gong, as the foundation governors. Wang nodded, Au said.

Au showed Wang the minutes regarding the appointment of the siblings as the foundation governors on April 2, 2007. Wang again nodded, Au said.

Mill asked Au whether Wang was capable of making important decision. Au replied, "I am not a doctor. How do I know?"

Mill kept on pressing. "Fair enough. You believe Wang understood what you were telling her and gave you a response." Au replied, "Yes."

Prior to questions about Wang's capability, Au told the court that she and Wang's younger brother Kung attempted to cover up the seriousness of Wang's illness by conveying the impression that Wang was still fit to work.

Wang appeared on her birthday party on September 29, 2006, which was attended by five other staff in addition to Au. All attending staff, including Chinachem director Joseph Leung, was shocked by Wang's sick appearance.

Au told the court that Leung, who has been involved in many Chinachem businesses, had not seen Wang for quite some time during that period because even when Wang was in her office, she would stay most of the time in her living quarter.

The hearing continues.

(HK Edition 06/12/2009 page1)