Saturday, May 24, 2014

20140523 The Standard_Leung Q&A session abandoned amid chaos

For the first time, a question-and-answer session with the chief executive had to be aborted after chaos broke out in the Legislative Council chamber.
Several lawmakers threw objects at officials, one slung a bun at Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, and another refused to be removed when ordered by Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing.
Leung later described those involved as uncivilized. "Lawmakers throwing objects at officials are ruining the relationship between the administrative and legislative branches of government," Leung said after the meeting.
"If this behavior continues, it will also damage Hong Kong's international image and the dignity of the Legislative Council."
Executive Council convener Lam Woon-kwong said the relationship between the government and the legislature has reached a tipping point.
In his opening speech at the session, Leung condemned the lawmakers responsible for the budget and other filibusters.
"Filibusters have severely affected Hong Kong's competitiveness. I detest them bitterly," Leung said.
Lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung passed a slip to People Power lawmakers Albert Chan Wai-yip and Ray Chan Chi-chuen.
Minutes later, when Leung was still speaking about the filibuster, Albert Chan threw a bun at the chief executive while Ray Chan and Leung Kwok- hung stood up.
"It's you who Hongkongers bitterly detest," Chan yelled.
The Legco president immediately expelled the trio but Leung Kwok-hung refused to leave. He was held down by seve
ral security guards.
Tsang adjourned the meeting, and about 10 minutes later it resumed. Then Labour Party lawmaker Cyd Ho Sau-lan challenged Tsang's expulsion order, saying Leung Kwok-hung had not done anything but was only standing up after Tsang called his name.
Tsang said that given the situation, he was terminating the meeting. It ended five minutes earlier than it was supposed to.
Pro-establishment lawmakers condemned the lawmakers for acting in a disorderly manner.
Lawmaker Ma Fung Kwok of the Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication sector, said he overheard Leung telling Chan to "take action" against the chief executive.
"I believe the lawmakers planned the action as all three began soon after Leung Kwok-hung gave the signal," Ma said.
Leung Kwok-hung conceded he had intended to throw buns. "I intended to throw the buns out, but the security guards surrounded me before I did anything," he said.
Lawmaker Raymond Wong Yuk-man had already been thrown out for calling on the chief executive to step down.
After the meeting, Tsang said he judged that Leung Kwok-hung had behaved in a disorderly manner because he saw security guards trying to hold him back after he stood up and held the props.
He said he was disappointed that a dozen lawmakers had missed the opportunity to question Leung, adding he would ask Legco's committee on rules of procedure to review existing regulations.

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