TOP engineers yesterday threw their weight behind the controversial government proposal to force taxi and minibus operators to switch to petrol from diesel.

Edmund Leung Kwong-ho, chairman of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and Samuel Wong Ping-wai, the profession's Legco representative, supported the plan because of the health threat diesel posed.

Two weeks ago, legislators rejected the move to force diesel vehicles under four tonnes to switch within five years. The scheme has also been heavily criticised by taxi and minibus firms.