Lester Shum Seeks To Challenge PLA Dock Decision

Pro-democracy activist Lester Shum has applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the government's decision to zone a stretch of the Central harbourfront for use by the People's Liberation Army.

The government approved the rezoning of the 0.3 hectare berth for military use at the end of January and said it will hand over the site to the PLA Garrison "as soon as possible".

While the dock will be administered by the PLA and covered by Garrison Law, SAR officials say the public will be allowed to enter the area when it is not in use.

However, Shum said the decision goes against the public interest and accuses the administration of breaking an earlier promise it made.

“This is a written promise made by the Hong Kong government to the Hong Kong people that the new Central harbour promenade is solely for public use," he said on Wednesday.

"If this decision is carried out, that the related area of the Central harbour promenade is to be given to the PLA, then the usage of the public will be in serious question."

He said the Town Planning Board was wrong when it originally rezoned the dock back in 2014, and so was the government when it approved the plans earlier this year. He wants the High Court to declare both decisions unlawful, and throw them out.

Shum, who was a prominent student leader during the 2014 Occupy protests, said he would apply for legal aid to fight his case.

During a Legco meeting last week, Security Secretary John Lee defended the need for a military dock in Central, saying military attacks can happen at anytime and the authorities therefore need to be on the alert.

Lee added that anybody who has watched movies or learnt about the Second World War will know that the attack on Pearl Harbour came without warning.