A campaign begins today to get compensation from public funds for crippled robbery hero Yeung Hoi-keung.
Solicitor and Democratic Party legislator Andrew Cheng Kar-foo will seek support from colleagues to use a little-known law under which public money can be given to people injured fighting crime.
'We'll seek to establish the total loss of earnings and bodily movement of Mr Yeung as the bottom line to make use of the ordinance,' Mr Cheng said yesterday.
Mr Yeung was shot in the back while chasing a robber in 1989 and lost the use of his legs and left hand. He has spent the past seven years in hospital.
He lost a High Court battle this week for $6 million found in robber Ho Tung-shing's home and was awarded only $797,260 compensation for his injuries.
He has legal bills of $200,000 and must repay $100,000 to the Social Welfare Department.
Mr Cheng wants to employ Section 18a of the Public Finance Ordinance for the first time. Support from the Security, and Health and Welfare branches will be needed and Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang is likely to be approached.