Randy Yu: man of discretion with the heart of a villager

He is most frequently referred to in newspapers as "Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat's son-in-law". Photos and reports on him appear from time to time in the political celebrity section of a local Chinese-language daily.

More recently, his name hit the headlines when his appointment to the Lantau Development Advisory Committee stirred up controversy. The extent of his family and business stakes on the island triggered doubts over his suitability as a government adviser on the future on Lantau.

But who is Randy Yu Hon-kwan?

The 52-year-old is married to Virginia Lau Yuk-lin, a daughter of the influential New Territories kingpin and landlord Lau Wong-fat. A villager born in Tai O, he sits on the rural power bloc Heung Yee Kuk as a councillor and is general manager of Sino Land Company.

Far from a conventional rural New Territories leader who would speak loudly and bluntly, Yu calmly fends off critics of his property stakes.

"The two plots of land are inherited from my father. Each of the two is jointly owned by my elder brother and myself so, in fact, what I have adds up to one plot. One of the sites is rented out to a non-profit kindergarten run by a church and the other is rented out for weekend business.