Tsang Received Up To $1.6m Expenses While In Jail

The government has revealed that staff remained hired to assist former Chief Executive Donald Tsang - even when he was serving his 12-month jail term for misconduct in public office.

During a special finance committee meeting, officials told lawmakers that each former chief executive gets a budget of up to $1.6 million dollars a year to pay for a senior personal assistant, a clerical officer and a driver to support their promotional and protocol-related activities.

Council Front lawmaker Au Nok-hin questioned whether it is a proper use of taxpayers' money: "The problem is, when Mr Donald Tsang was in jail, it is unnecessary for him, and it's impossible for him, to enjoy any service.

"And the problem is that such expenses still exist, and I think the most ridiculous point is they [the government] even try to defend themselves by saying 'oh, it is approved by the Legislative Council. I think it is not the problem ... the problem is whether the approved expenses have been used effectively."

Tsang was released from prison in January after serving his 12-month sentence for misconduct. He had been found guilty of not disclosing plans to lease a luxury Shenzhen flat from a businessman who had applied for - and was granted - a broadcast licence during Tsang's tenure. The lease would also have been at significantly below the market rate. He was

He is the first leader of Hong Kong to have been convicted in a criminal trial.