Dinner election-related - but 'no canvassing'
Chief executive contender Leung Chun-ying's campaign director admitted a controversial dinner with rural leaders last month was election-related - but says she did not canvass.
Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun last night said she introduced Leung's platform at the dinner in Lau Fau Shan and discussed rural affairs. Law said she and her two deputies and a Leung supporter, Lew Mon-hung, put in HK$500 for the meal, which cost about HK$1,000 - but she was unsure of the total bill or who paid.
At least three rural leaders said yesterday they helped to pay for the dinner - but one of them paid only recently. This emerged amid mounting suspicion over possible bribery and triad threats in connection with the chief executive race.
A former Independent Commission Against Corruption investigator meanwhile said those who paid after such a long time might have to explain their reasons in court.
Election Committee members Leung Fuk-yuen (pictured), Lai Wai-hung and Tang Lai-tung - who were among eight rural leaders at the February 10 dinner - said they paid HK$150 each. Leung Fuk-yuen, a voter in the Heung Yee Kuk subsector, said he paid yesterday morning. 'I have just paid it to [another member] Man Chi-sheung,' he said. '[Others] should be paying the money one after another now.' But he said he did not know who had settled the bill. On Saturday, he said guests were told they would pay for their own dinner.
Barrister Stephen Char Shik-ngor, a former ICAC veteran, said: '[If it goes to court], they will need to explain to the judge why the money was paid so late.' Char said the Leung camp could be liable for prosecution if they treated the rural leaders to a meal and canvassed during it.
The Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance states that a person engages in corrupt action if he provides food, drink or entertainment to another person for the purpose of inducing him to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate.
All sides have distanced themselves from controversial businessman Kwok Wing-hung, nicknamed 'Shanghai Boy', who was also among the guests. 'If I still worked for the ICAC, the first thing I would clarify is who invited 'Shanghai Boy'. This is crucial,' Char said.
One guest said canvassing was the 'main theme' of the meal, initiated by the Leung camp. But both Law and Leung Fuk-yuen said rural leader Tang Ho-ninlined up the dinner. Leung also hinted there was more than one middle-man. Tang denied he organised or attended the dinner. Leung Fuk-yuen and Lai said he did.
