Protesters Demand Govt Action Against Link Reit

Around two dozen people staged a protest at an annual general meeting of the Link Reit on Wednesday accusing it of exploiting low-income residents and making their lives even more difficult.

The protesters, from the group Link Watch and the League of Social Democrats, say the Link Reit has earned huge profits by selling off shopping malls and car parks at public housing estates to international corporations, while small businesses are forced out due to soaring rents.

They also criticised Chief Executive Carrie Lam for failing to fulfil her election promise to tackle the problem.

The protesters threw "hell money" inside the meeting venue, the Mira Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, and demanded that the government buy back Link Reit's properties.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin, who was among the demonstrators, said the government must also regulate Link Reit through legislation.

"Right now, we can see in Hong Kong there are no regulations, no penalties, so they can do whatever they want," Au said.