Legco Resumes, With A Row Between Two Sides

The Legislative Council's finance committee concluded its first meeting since the summer break without completing its first order of business after pro-democracy lawmakers were accused of filibustering the election of a new chairman and deputy chairman.

Legco officially resumed its business on Friday and met for the first time since anti-extradition protesters stormed the Legislative Council building on July 1.

But proceedings got dogged down straight away after the opposition demanded pro-government lawmakers apologise to the Hong Kong people over their support for the contentious extradition bill.

The pan-democratic lawmakers held up placards that said “Five demands, not one less” and “police brutality not eradicated how to hold meetings normally” as the panel started proceedings to elect a new chairman and deputy chairman.

While the pro-government side nominated Chan Kin-por for the chairmanship, the pan-democrats nominated 22 people in an apparent bid to slow down the proceedings.

They even tried to nominate pro-government lawmakers Junius Ho, Elizabeth Quat and Alice Mak, all of whom declined to contest the position.

The opposition also wanted a new bill to be introduced to separate police pay rises from the request for a civil servant pay revision that is before the committee.

Lawmaker Chu Hoi-dick said that a student from Chinese University has accused police of sexual assault and asked how, in such a situation, the lawmakers could discuss police pay without any concern.

The committee then set aside 130 minutes for hustings to allow the nominees to share their platforms. Several pro-democracy nominees, including Chu, Au Nok-hin and Gary Fan, took the opportunity to reiterate the demands and concerns of anti-government protesters.

The meeting wound up before lawmakers could begin questioning the nominees, and the discussion was to continue next week.

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