Angry Heung Yee Kuk leaders yesterday accused the development chief of 'robbing villagers of their fundamental rights' by advocating an end to the small-house policy in the New Territories.
In heated discussions at a kuk meeting, rural representatives said Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (pictured) was creating trouble and damaging 'the villagers' core values'. Some also criticised kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat for not being tough enough.
'Lam is the villagers' nemesis,' said Tsang Shu-wo, a member of the Ping Shan Rural Committee. 'Whatever issues [arise] about the New Territories, she wants to destroy them. Shouldn't we chop her? We shouldn't let her be our chief secretary.'
Lam is widely tipped to be the next chief secretary in the administration of chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying.
Their anger stemmed from a South China Morning Post interview in which Lam called for an end to the policy that grants every male indigenous villager the right to build a three-storey house of 2,100 sq ft close to their ancestral homes.
The conflict between Lam and the kuk has also been fuelled by Lam's strong stance over the removal of illegal structures in village homes.
At yesterday's meeting, members postponed a planned protest for next Wednesday at the central government offices in Admiralty until after the handover anniversary on July 1, so 'the celebrative atmosphere will not be affected'. They did not set a new date.