Suit filed over late singer's musical legacy

The elder sister of the late Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing and his partner of 18 years, Daffy Tong Hok-tak, yesterday filed a lawsuit against record producer Alvin Leong Wing-jann over the management of a music production company. She is also seeking the return of all the singer's master song tapes.

Cheung's sister, Ophelia Cheung Look-ping, and Mr Tong are seeking a declaration that they are the executors appointed under Cheung's will.

Cheung killed himself by jumping off the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on April 1. He was 46 and was believed to be suffering from clinical depression.

In a High Court writ, Ms Cheung, Mr Tong and his company, Golden Valley Agents Limited, said they were claiming on their own and on behalf of all the shareholders of Star World International Limited, trading as Apex Music Production.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the defendants, Mr Leong and Beverly Consultants, are not entitled to manage the affairs of Star World International unilaterally or to make any payment without consent of its directors.

They seek an order that Beverly Consultants place Cheung's master tapes and all copies of songs in an undamaged state in the safe custody of the plaintiff's solicitors.