Liberal Party To Push For Legco Probe Into Protests

The leader of the Liberal Party, Felix Chung, says he is hoping to use the Powers and Privileges Ordinance to set up a Legco committee to investigate the anti-government protests that have lasted for five months now.

Chung's motion calling for the setting up of the committee is scheduled to be discussed next week.

If it goes ahead, lawmakers will have the power to summon anyone before the Legislative Council to give, or produce evidence.

But Chung noted on Wednesday that unlike the independent inquiry protesters are demanding, the Legco committee would only be comprised of lawmakers, and would not be headed by a judge.

Asked about the unusual move of a pro-government lawmaker putting forward a motion for a Legco probe, the Liberal Party leader said many supporters had approached him saying lawmakers should do something to end the crisis.

"A lot of citizens come to approach me saying that Legco should something. And they expect us to do something, especially some pro-establishment supporters," said Chung.

"If the government does not want to do the independent investigation commission, let Legco start it first," he said, adding that some lawmakers in his camp have supported the idea and he plans to approach pan-democratic lawmakers about it soon.

Chung also told RTHK's Janice Wong that he doesn't think there will be enough time for the investigation committee to finish its work before the current Legco term ends next July, but this shouldn't stop lawmakers from launching a probe.