Government Urged To Stop Abuse Of Ding Rights

A land policy researcher has called on the government to do more to stop indigenous male villagers from selling their so-called "ding rights" to developers for profit, to prevent what he calls an abuse of the Small House Policy.

Chan Kim-ching's comment comes after the Court of Appeal overturned a lower court's ruling and restored the full rights of male indigenous villagers to build their own homes.

The Small House Policy, which dates back to 1972 and benefits people who can trace their ancestry in New Territories villages to before colonial rule began there in 1898, allows for three-storey houses to be built on private land.

Alternatively, male adult villagers could lease land from the government at a concessionary premium through the Private Treaty Grant System, or via land exchange agreements with the administration, also for a reduced premium or none at all.

Although a three-judge panel last week upheld the legality of the policy, Chan from the Liber Research Community said on Sunday that the ruling had failed to address its possible discriminatory nature against women.

He added that the government should enforce rules to stop villagers from selling their "ding rights" to developers.

“I think two years ago the July 21 event really sparked off quite a lot of debate on what sort of rural interests were hidden behind the event. Selling ding rights is one of the major concerns of the general public."

“It will be a good suggestion to stop or restrict selling small houses to outsiders and restore it to the self-use principle. I think with this principle in mind, then the applications of small house will be largely reduced, and more land could be available for different uses, especially for the dire needs for public housing for the general public,” he said.