Parties split on probe of polls affair
The major political parties are divided on whether the new Legislative Council should hold a hearing into the Robert Chung Ting-yiu polling affair.
Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun, speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, did not think Legco should conduct its own inquiry as the investigation panel appointed by Hong Kong University had already reached a conclusion.
'I don't think there is the need unless there are new findings. Mr Tung [Chee-hwa] has said he has not put pressure on Dr Chung via a third party and [Mr Tung's aide] Andrew Lo Cheung-on,' he said.
The university-appointed inquiry said in its report earlier this month that vice-chancellor Professor Cheng Yiu-chung and pro-vice-chancellor Professor Wong Siu-lun had tried to stop Dr Chung carrying out polls on Mr Tung's popularity because of concerns expressed by Mr Lo.
The inquiry report also described Mr Lo, who met Professor Cheng to discuss Dr Chung's polls, as a 'poor and untruthful witness'.
The university council only noted the inquiry report and did not give any clear conclusion on whether to adopt it or not. Both Professor Cheng and Professor Wong have since resigned.
Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said Legco should follow up on the saga but he doubted if a select committee should be set up.
'I don't think it is worth spending a lot of resources to conduct a hearing. Do you expect the witnesses would testify differently?'
Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming supported the idea of setting up a select committee authorised to summon witnesses.
'I agree what happened within Hong Kong University should not be probed again. However, the first part of the story is still unknown. How did it start?'
Lau Ping-cheung, non-affiliated, who represents architects, surveyors and planners, had reservations about a Legco probe.
'I don't think there will be a significant difference in the findings,' he said.
The University of Hong Kong students' union held a demonstration yesterday urging the new Legco to investigate the case.
