Lawmakers On Both Sides Blast Fanling Decision

The government's decision to retake 32 hectares of the Fanling Golf Course for housing development came under criticism from both opponents and supporters of the government, with some calling for the end of the lease while others wanted the site to be left alone.

During a meeting of Legco's development panel, the Democratic Party's Roy Kwong said officials should take back the entire site. He said the decision to use only a part of the land is like trying to please everyone.

The government had opted to accept its task force's recommendation of using only part of the land and rejected suggestions of studying whether to take back the remaining 140 hectares in future.

Legislator Kenneth Lau, who heads the powerful rural body Heung Yee Kuk, said the golf course should be preserved, as there are many historical buildings and trees.

He added that even when the British government built the golf course in 1889, it didn't relocate the graveyards of indigenous villagers.

Frankie Yick from the pro-business Liberal Party rejected criticism from opposition lawmakers that golf s played only by the rich and powerful.

"A lot of my friends, they are just normal citizens, they are also playing golf. It is a kind of sport," Yick said.

"If you are talking about needing more land to build more housing, we have so many different choices. Why should we take this back?" he said.

Development Secretary Michael Wong said it was not an easy decision, noting the Fanling Golf Course has made a huge contribution in sport.

But he said officials had considered the matter very carefully, and they believed that it could meet the needs of the public.