Patten told to make tax offer
LEGISLATOR Frederick Fung Kin-kee urged Governor Chris Patten yesterday to volunteer to pay tax despite a Government-appointed panel suggesting otherwise.
In a letter to Mr Patten yesterday, the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood chairman said although Mr Patten had a perfect case to be exempted from tax, the Governor should be aware of the unfair elements behind the privilege.
Mr Fung asked Mr Patten to voluntarily scrap the practice if he was to live up to the image as an open-minded Governor.
Pressure mounted on Mr Patten to follow the Queen's example in paying income tax, but a Government-appointed panel rejected the suggestion in July.
Mr Fung asked in the letter to meet Mr Patten to discuss the issue.
But Liberal Party legislator Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee said the contract between Mr Patten and the Government should be respected.
United Democrat Dr Huang Chen-ya said Mr Patten's salary should first be raised if it was to be taxable.
Meeting Point legislator Dr Leong Che-hung, who had once urged Mr Patten to pay tax, also agreed with the panel's decision.
