'Legco Rules Will Determine Case Of Dennis Kwok'

Legco President Andrew Leung said on Tuesday that he will look into criticism that opposition lawmaker Dennis Kwok has breached council rules, as the controversy over a delay in electing a House Committee chairperson snowballed into a major row after the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) stepped into the issue.

A statement by the office on Monday alleged that filibustering by opposition legislators is disrupting the normal operations of the legislature.

Legal sector lawmaker Dennis Kwok, who has been presiding over the committee meetings, was singled out, and the HKMAO also said some lawmakers may have breached their oaths of office and could be guilty of misconduct in public office.

“Whether or not the chair of the meeting has abused his power or not, we have the rule of procedures to handle the case,” said Leung.

“As the president of the Legco, it is not for me to judge what rules a specific member has violated. We have to follow the rules of procedure of the council to handle the case.”

The statement by the HKMAO was criticised by the opposition as meddling in the affairs of the SAR.

But Leung brushed aside this charge. He told reporters that mainland authorities were simply expressing their concern over the committee's failure to elect a chairperson and subsequent inability to scrutinise bills.

“I think the comment made by the office is an act to show concern on the reality of Hong Kong. It is understandable,” he said.

Leung said it is up to Hong Kong to decide how to deal with the matter. The Legco chief said over a dozen bills are in the pipeline and called on lawmakers to carry out their duties in a practical manner.