The decision to grant the SAR's top honour to a leader of the 1967 anti-British riots was made by Tung Chee-hwa, Executive Council convenor Leung Chun-ying said yesterday. Yeung Kwong, former president of the Federation of Trade Unions, headed a left-wing anti-British committee that launched the riots in which 51 people were killed. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal on Sunday.
An honours committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, recommends the honours list to Mr Tung. Mr Leung said: 'This is the decision of Tung Chee-hwa. I have also noted the views expressed by the public in the media.' Representatives of the Social Democratic Forum, who have petitioned Mr Tung, said: 'It is an insult to the families of the victims who died in the riot.'
