Paper Talk: Persecution claims of bogus refugees abused by Hong Kong gangsters
Sunday, Oriental Daily
Persecution claims of bogus refugees abused by gangsters
Local gangsters have reportedly been recruiting people from Africa and South Asia to come to Hong Kong as refugees and make non-refoulement claims – not being sent back to a country where they might face persecution – so they can work for them in chasing debts, smuggling drugs and other serious crime. Reporters found “fake refugees” selling drugs in the Lan Kwai Fong nightlife area in Central. Director of Immigration Eric Chan Kwok-ki admitted in a radio interview that many claimants did not originate from war-torn countries and came to the city to work illegally.
Monday, Ming Pao Daily
Convicted developer involved in another illegal village project
David Li Yam-pui, an 82-year-old village house developer who was earlier jailed for three years for conspiracy to defraud in a village house project in Tai Che , Sha Tin, was found to have been involved in another illegal village house project deal between 1995 and 2006, which was not revealed in court. Li was found by reporters to have conspired with eight indigenous villagers to illegally build and sell eight village houses for them, from which he raked in more than HK$60 million.
Tuesday, Sing Tao Daily
Chow Sang Sang scraps gold product commission system
Jewellery retail chain Chow Sang Sang has abolished the commission system for sale of gold products which has been in place for more than 50 years. Gold product customers will no longer need to pay commission equal to 2 per cent of the item price. It was believed the retailer’s decision was related to the recent implementation of the Competition Ordinance.
Wednesday, Oriental Daily
Uber recruiting drivers despite its uncertain legal status
Online taxi-hailing service provider Uber, which has not been legally permitted to operate in the city following the arrest of staff and drivers for providing unlicensed hire-car services, is recruiting again. Long queues of people lined up outside the Uber office in Cheung Sha Wan on Tuesday to sign up as drivers and receive a HK$200 petrol coupon. Some said they held no hire-car permits but Uber staff did not say if it was legal for them to take passengers.
Thursday, Ming Pao Daily
New district councillors can’t find offices because of high rents
Some recently-elected district councillors have experienced difficulty finding office space amid soaring rents. Lau Yung-wai, district councillor of Tai Po District (Old Market & Serenity) has failed to find an office and is using a mobile depot. Lau said he could not afford rents in the district where housing was mostly private. Stanley Ho Ngai-kam, a new councillor for Heng Fa Chuen in Chai Wan, is using a container as his office.
Friday, Apple Daily
Dog stows away to Japan in unsuspecting owner’s suitcase
A pet dog sneaked into its owner’s suitcase without his knowledge while he was packing for his New Year trip to Hokkaido in Japan. Upon arrival in Japan, he was told by his grandmother via Whatsapp that the dog was missing. He opened the suitcase before boarding a coach and found the dog hiding inside, alive and kicking. After reporting the matter to customs officials, the dog was sent back alone to Hong Kong before the man continued his journey. It was not known why Hong Kong and Japan customs failed to detect the dog.
