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SCMP Reporter

Some DAB members threatened to quit the party if it accepted the resignations of the two regional councillors involved in a sex scandal, it emerged yesterday.

 The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong's central committee decided on Thursday night to accept the resignations of Ngan Kam-chuen and Chan Ping from their party posts.

 But it agreed that the pair, who admitted consorting with prostitutes at a Panyu karaoke bar, should not be expelled.

 Mr Ngan was the party's standing committee member and chairman of its Yuen Long regional office. Mr Chan was the chairman of the party's Tai Po regional office. No dates have been fixed for replacements.

 Party vice-chairman Ip Kwok-him confirmed regional office members intended to quit but said the party would try to pacify them. 'They said the party should give them a chance rather than wiping away all their past deeds in the district,' Mr Ip said.

 Last night, Mr Chan, 45, said there had been such calls but he thought the central committee's decision was correct.

 'I very much understand their feelings. I started my work in the district in my early teens - when I was just a little-known social worker.'  He said his resignation would cause little disruption as he had only taken over the post this month from fellow member Cheung Hok-ming.

 As Mr Cheung is chairman of Tai Po rural committee, he will be appointed an ex-officio member to the District Council to be formed next year.

 Facing the possibility his rivals might use the scandal to attack him should he run in the election, Mr Chan said: 'Having already admitted it, it's unnecessary for me to avoid the issue or to be scared of people mentioning it.'  Mr Ngan was unavailable for comment last night.



Threat of DAB revolt if sex-scandal pair allowed to quit