Unhappy DAB Lawmakers Target Paul Chan Again

The largest political party in Hong Kong, the pro-Beijing DAB, on Thursday criticised Financial Secretary Paul Chan again over what they said was his uneven distribution of the government's record surplus.

DAB lawmaker Elizabeth Quat told Chan, who was in Legco to explain his budget proposals, that there are many working class people who live in public housing flats who are getting nothing from this budget.

Her party-mate Gary Chan was also unhappy. He said they have received many complaints, mostly from residents in public housing estates who want at least a month's rent, if not more, to be exempted.

Chan told the lawmakers that he didn't waive rents for public housing tenants because plenty of them are getting other subsidies such as those for the elderly or for people on social welfare.

On Wednesday, the DAB chairwoman Starry Lee said her party backed the budget but said they felt Chan should have earmarked more funds for the needy sections of the society.