Govt Mulling Alternate Fugitive Plan: Michael Tien

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien says he believes the government is considering his alternative plan to deal with what the government calls 'loopholes' in Hong Kong's extradition laws.

In a letter to the Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Tien had requested the government shelve its proposed amendments to the laws, and then deal only with the transfer of a Hong Kong man to Taiwan where he's wanted for murder.

He said authorities could then take more time to amend the SAR's laws on the return of fugitives to places where Hong Kong has no extradition arrangement.

He told RTHK's Janice Wong he believes reaction to his proposal has been positive.

"Chief Executive has said the Taiwan murder case is what triggers this whole thing because this whole issue has been dormant for the last twenty years. So my proposal of withdrawing the bill and then immediately coming back with a portion of the current bill has a much higher chance of getting passed by Legco within the time frame," he said.

"I think that would serve the Chief Executive's proclaimed purpose," Tien said.

The pro-government lawmaker also said that it is unlikely that the administration will issue any public statement to acknowledge they are considering his proposal, but said he is confident they are.