The government is under growing pressure to release records relating to the 2001 arts hub design competition at the centre of the conflict-of-interest controversy involving chief executive hopeful Leung Chun-ying.
International architect Dr Ken Yeang, who is caught up in the row, and more politicians across the spectrum said the government should release its records given the confusion over Leung's role in the contest.
'The records should be released and made transparent,' the Malaysian architect, best known for his green designs, said in an e-mailed reply to the South China Morning Post.
On Saturday, the Democratic Party said it might force full disclosure by invoking the Powers and Privileges Ordinance. Chan Yuen-han, vice-president of the Federation of Trade Unions, said the government should release the records.
Asked if officials had breached their political impartiality, Chan replied: 'The government shouldn't have disclosed [information] before the election nomination period. This only brings itself trouble.'
Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said it was 'not good' for officials to leak information to selected newspapers as 'government sources'. 'If they want to say something, it is better to say it officially,' Tam said.
The government was accused of timing the announcement to favour Leung's main rival for chief executive, former chief secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen. It said it released the confidential information only to 'answer media inquiries' and 'to protect the public interest'.