HK$10 million of public funds spent on fung shui over past decade
Expenditure over the past decade shows rising expectations of indigenous villagers
The indigenous residents of a rural village in the northern New Territories have received a quarter of the HK$1 million they asked from the public coffers to perform fung shui and religious rituals for their new homes, the South China Morning Post has learned.
Chuk Yuen village in Ta Kwu Ling was paid HK$250,000 in late September, after most of the residents had already accepted compensation to make way for Hong Kong's seventh border crossing with Shenzhen.
A land-policy observer warned that the case could be just the tip of the iceberg, reflecting heightened payout expectations among indigenous New Territories residents who have to relocate to make way for infrastructure works, amid intensified protests against development and a weaker administration in recent years.
David Tse Kin-wah, a surveyor who is familiar with New Territories land matters, said generous sums paid to Tsoi Yuen Tsuen residents in 2009 after they protested against the high-speed rail link had set a precedent for greater compensation.
Chuk Yuen village chief Yiu Wai-leung, 34, spoke about the payout.
"This is to alleviate villagers' worries. We performed ceremonies at each house to worship deities," Yiu said in reply to Post inquiries. Twenty-three households were involved.