Legislator threatened over waste removal
A legislator was threatened yesterday while moving what he said was illegal waste from Shing Mun Country Park to an office of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
Democrat Lee Wing-tat said he went with 20 residents and district councillors to the Kwai Chung site, which was filled with bags of rubbish, soil and industrial waste spread over 1,400 square metres.
A man with tattoos who said his name was Lau stepped in when they wanted to move some of the bags, Mr Lee said. 'I think his face was just one inch from my face when he shouted,' he said. 'He swore and asked me why I 'invaded his land' and 'Do you want to die?' I think what he said to me was a threat.'
The yelling lasted about 10 minutes. Mr Lee then called the police.
Mr Lau said he had rented the land for three months and was seeking approval to convert it into a barbecue site.
The waste amounted to illegal dumping, Mr Lee said, if it caused nuisance to nearby residents and hikers at the country park, even though it was private land.
He said the industrial waste and chemical residue polluted the land and would attract mosquitoes.
The group moved about 20 bags to the front door of the Kwai Hing government offices in protest.
'The 20 bags are just a symbolic act,' Mr Lee said. 'The disposal is about 20 feet tall and occupied an area of about five basketball courts.'
Mr Lau, 24, was arrested for criminal intimidation, released on HK$500 bail and must report to police on April 9.
