Political party plans delayed
THE plan by the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) to turn itself into a political party has been interrupted by the recent Sino-British row over Hongkong's political development.
The association's chairman, Mr Frederick Fung Kin-kee, said yesterday a schedule for the opening of three new service centres as part of the ADPL's bid to strengthen its hold at the grassroots level had been delayed, ''We had originally planned to announce details of the three centres at Tuen Mun, Kwai Tsing and Wong Tai Sin in February but I do not think we can work to the schedule because much of our manpower has been devoted to the study of the political reform proposal recently,'' he said at a year-end briefing.
But Mr Fung cited one positive impact of the row, saying it had heightened the political awareness of some members.
''I can say that many of our members have become more aware of political developments and this will be of advantage to our future programmes geared to educating the public,'' he said.
Mr Fung, the only ADPL legislator, said the group should have attained the shape of a political party by 1995.
Membership has increased from 75 shortly after the formation of the liberal flagship United Democrats of Hongkong to 125, with 17 representatives in the three-tier political system.
Mr Fung said although the group wanted more active participation in district board and Legislative Council polls in 1994 and 1995 respectively, this would depend on members' responses.
He said he could not see high motivation for political participation at present.
''We are going to carry out more internal discussions in the coming months and will try to bring the message to more members,'' he said.
