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Legco rowdy but not violent, says president

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He may have expelled radical lawmakers from the chamber dozens of times and dished out hundreds of warnings for unruly behaviour, but outgoing Legislative Council president Tsang Yok-sing has rejected the idea that the behaviour of Legco's troublemakers is violent.

Rounding up his four-year term, which ends on Tuesday, Tsang said it was an exaggeration to describe Legco's culture in such a way.

'Everyone can see when we have fierce debates or when certain lawmakers throw objects in the chamber. But I think it is an exaggeration to call such occasions violence,' Tsang said. 'We comply with the Rules of Procedure most of the time. If a lawmaker breaks the rules intentionally, I have no choice but to eject him.'

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The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker repeatedly expelled three radical pan-democrats - the League of Social Democrats' Leung Kwok-hung, People Power's Wong Yuk-man and Albert Chan Wai-yip - after becoming Legco chief in 2008.

One of the most memorable moments of his term in office came when Wong was ejected from the chamber for throwing a banana-shaped prop at former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in 2008.

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In another interview, Tsang revealed that retiring Legco secretary general Pauline Ng Man-wah planned to write a 'bible' on Legco procedure. 'This contributes to the sustainable development of the city's legislature,' he said.

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