DAB Rejects Own Lawmaker's Call For Bill's Return

Hong Kong's largest political party, the pro-Beijing DAB, has distanced itself from a claim made by one of its own lawmakers that the government could think about reintroducing its controversial extradition law bill in a matter of months.

Ann Chiang had said in a TV interview that the government could consider putting the planned law changes back to the legislature once it has carried out a few months' worth of publicity work.

The extradition bill was suspended by Chief Executive Carrie Lam in light of the massive street protests over the past couple of weeks, including one on June 12 that descended into violence that left dozens hurt as the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators.

Protesters are demanding an independent inquiry into the force used by riot police officers that day and Chiang also said she would back such a move as long as the probe looked into the entire events of June 12, and didn't just focus on claims of police brutality.

Her comments on Friday came as thousands of protesters once again took to the streets over the extradition plans, surrounding Legco, police headquarters in Wan Chai, and blocking entrances to government buildings.

But the DAB was quick to make clear that Chiang's comment on bringing back the bill was just her own personal opinion and said this had not been discussed by the party.

The pro-government party said it backed the Chief Executive's decision to suspend the legislation in order to calm tensions in society and it agreed with her that there should be no timetable for the bill to be resurrected.

Only once a consensus is reached in society on the extradition law changes should the next step be considered, the party said.