Financial Chief Apologises For Handout Chaos

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has apologised on social media for chaos that marred the launch of a new scheme to give HK$4,000 handouts to some of Hong Kong's poorest people.

Chan launched the scheme in his budget last year, and it is intended to benefit those who missed out on other budget sweeteners such as tax rebates.

But thousands of people were left frustrated when applications opened last week. Some were unable to provide the documents needed, while others joined long queues for application forms only to find that they had run out.

Speaking in a question-and-answer streaming event on Facebook, Chan said nobody had wanted the application process to prove as difficult as it did, but officials needed to make checks to ensure applicants were eligible.

Back in 2011, when it handed out HK$6,000 to each permanent resident, the government allowed people to apply online.

Asked why the administration didn't do the same this time, Chan said officials were concerned that there would be privacy issues.

Almost all of those who responded to the live stream expressed themselves to be "angry", while some commented to urge Mr Chan to stand down.

Several questions focused on resources for the medical sector, amid overcrowding in hospitals during the peak flu season.

Chan said in response that in last year's budget, HK$300 billion had been set aside to build new hospitals and redevelop existing ones. He said there would be a lot more beds once those schemes are completed.

He also said the live streaming event was a way to combat the reputation of top officials for being out of touch, and to listen to the public's views.