At first meeting, chief executive is warned on tax, spending
The DAB, once considered Tung Chee-hwa's closest political ally, delivered a blunt message to the chief executive yesterday.
Ma Lik, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, met Mr Tung for the first time as party leader and told him to cut taxes and reconsider planned education spending cuts.
Accompanied by vice-chairman Ip Kwok-him, Mr Ma called on Mr Tung to reconsider the government's austerity measures in balancing the budget, saying that Hong Kong's economy had 'turned the corner'.
The chief executive, who is due to deliver his next policy address on January 7, is canvassing the views of political parties on his forthcoming policy blueprint.
Mr Ma, who has been critical of Mr Tung, said the DAB did not want Mr Tung to cut spending on education, welfare and medical care.
