Verdict Cuts Pressure To Pass Changes Quickly: BPA

Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Priscilla Leung said on Monday that the jailing of a Taiwan murder suspect over money laundering charges has reduced the pressure to pass amendments to Hong Kong's fugitive laws immediately.

Leung said the jailing of Chan Tong-kai for 29 months means there is now enough time for Legco to discuss the proposed changes to extradition legislation that will allow one-off renditions on a case-by-case basis.

The administration had pressed for the changes to be passed before Legco's summer recess in July.

Despite saying the urgency was lost, the pro-government lawmaker called on her pro-democracy rivals not to waste time at meetings or "vent their emotions".

Leung also said that because there was quite a big turnout in a rally opposing the legal changes on Sunday, the authorities should attach importance to the participants' views.

She said officials should explain the bill to the public when it is under scrutiny at a Legco bills committee.