Ram-raider leaves machete message at home of tycoon Jimmy Lai

A bizarre warning was delivered to media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying in the early hours of yesterday when the front gate to his home was rammed with a stolen car and a man then placed an axe and a machete on the driveway before fleeing the scene.

The episode, which was caught by security cameras, led to concerns yesterday about a possible threat to press freedom.

A senior police officer said the attack appeared to be a warning rather than an attempt to harm anyone. Lai was at home with his wife at the time of the attack.

"There's not much to be scared about," Lai told reporters waiting for him after he breakfasted at the Luk Yu Tea House in Central.

But Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun said it was a serious crime and a threat to press freedom.

"The simple answer is yes, I am worried about [press and speech freedom]," said To, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council security panel.