Slap on the wrist for James To over his rental expenses claim
DAB wants more action, saying an admonishment in a Legco motion is far too lenient
The Legislative Council plans to pass an unprecedented sanction against Democrat James To Kun-sun, with a motion of admonishment over his office rental claim last year.
A Legco inquiry yesterday tabled a report criticising Mr To as negligent and falling short of the standards expected of a lawmaker.
Legco's committee on members' interests is to admonish Mr To on April 6 with a motion - generally considered the lowest level of punishment possible under the existing rules.
The Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong said the measure seemed too lenient, saying it would study the feasibility of further punishments, such as a reprimand or suspension from duty.
Mr To's integrity was called into question during the September Legco election. He was accused of paying above-market rent for an office in Shamshuipo - money he then claimed back in expenses - and of failing to declare his interest in the company that rents the property to the party.
Concluding the inquiry, the first of its kind in Legco history, committee chairwoman Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun said Mr To had been grossly inadequate and negligent in handling his company's documents.
'But there is no evidence that Mr To deliberately concealed such interests,' she said, referring to the fact that Mr To had not failed to declare his interests in the rental company to the Yau Tsim Mong District Council, of which he is a member.
But the committee said he had a duty to clarify the number of shares he held.
'The committee considers that Mr To failed to prudently discharge that duty, which falls short of the standards expected of a member in handling such matters by members of the public,' she said.
Mrs Leung said the committee had no power to investigate whether Mr To had inflated the rental claims. She said the punishment was appropriate.
In a press statement, Mr To said he accepted the report and the recommended punishment.
'Indeed, I have been negligent and have learned a deep lesson. I undertake to be more careful in dealing with matters concerning the declaration of interests.'
DAB legislator Lau Kong-wah said the party had yet to discuss whether it would impose a heavier punishment through an amendment to the motion.
Mr Lau said: 'The penalty appears to be too lenient. It's not even considered to be a few slaps on the face. It's just like telling someone, 'Hey, don't do it next time'.'
Democrats chairman Lee Wing-tat said the party accepted and respected the committee's report.
A separate investigation instigated by the party was also in its final stages, and would give an account when ready, according to Mr Lee.
