Spotlight on HK$5m funding for lion dance
ICAC asked to investigate money trail from government's Mega Events Fund to parade run by political allies and dance team bosses
The city's graft-busters have been asked to investigate an annual parade sponsored by the government's HK$250 million Mega Events Fund after the latest audit report revealed potential conflicts of interest and irregularities in its accounts and records.
The accusations against the Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza were filed with the Independent Commission Against Corruption by the Democratic Party yesterday.
The organising committee includes at least five members of the pro-government Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB). It has received a total of HK$5.3 million from the fund since 2011 for its annual one-day event showcasing dragon and lion dancing. It includes HK$1.5 million for this year's parade on January 1 in Tsim Sha Tsui.
However, DAB lawmaker Chan Kam-lam, who heads the 11-strong committee, said yesterday that the events actually relied mainly on sponsorship.
He dismissed suggestions of corrupt practices.
"We have kept our own records, which were managed by an independent body and subject to internal audit," said Chan.