Don't Rule Out Land Resumption, Says Alice Mak

Federation of Trade Union lawmaker Alice Mak said she does not agree with the Chief Executive Carrie Lam's view that the Lands Resumption Ordinance should not be used to take back land for housing development.

The pro-government lawmaker said no option should be ruled out.

Mak said the government should ensure a transparent system for land resumptions to make it clear what land is involved, and for what purpose.

There have been calls for the government to use the ordinance to retrieve large pieces of abandoned farmland and brownfield sites to boost Hong Kong's land supply.

The ordinance allows the government to forcibly claim any land in the territory, with compensation for the owner, if the takeover is for public use.

But Lam said during Thursday's question and answer session at the Legco, that it would involve legal issues, and may cause long delays.