Annoyance at 11th-hour councils list
THE list of appointed members for the district councils will be released early next week amid complaints that parties will not have enough time to lobby for chairmanships.
A total of 102 appointees will be named to join the elected members of the councils, which come into operation on Saturday.
Secretary for Home Affairs David Lan Hong-tsung said many people had given advice to the Government on who should be appointed - with some recommending themselves.
But Mr Lan said that such lobbying would not greatly affect the Government's decision.
'Whether you are recommended [by others] or whether we have not heard about you at all does not really matter. It would not enhance or reduce your chances of being considered.' But he said that losers in last month's district council election would not be appointed.
Some political parties have criticised the late release of the list of appointees, saying it will affect their preparations for the choosing of district council chairmen.
The 18 councils are expected to meet on Saturday to elect chairmen.
The chairman of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Frederick Fung Kin-kee, said: 'We need to know who is on the list so we can start lobbying for support for chairmanships.' Analysts said the democratic camp stood a good chance of chairing councils in Shamshuipo and Kwai Tsing.
The appointment arrangements were adopted by Tung Chee-hwa after the handover, with 20 per cent of 519 district council seats reserved for 'those who want to serve society but do not want to run for elections'.
Then-governor Chris Patten had opened all district board seats to election in 1994.
Activists condemned Mr Tung's move as a great leap backwards for democracy.
Separately, Mr Lan said yesterday his department would announce the head of the new Leisure and Recreation Department next week, along with new policy arrangements.
Sports Development Board director Ip Hay-wood hoped the board would be given more money to promote sports among youth.
Ms Ip said some venues should be reserved for sporting groups to train.
