Political Animal
Suen conspiracy theorists appear to be racing ahead of themselves
Lands and housing minister Michael Suen Ming-yeung, who has already been troubled by protracted disputes such as the public housing rent cut, was flabbergasted by the lingering row over co-ownership of a racehorse, Tale of Friendship, with 16 others - one of whom was casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun. Mr Ho is also president of the Real Estate Developers' Association.
Democrat legislator Albert Ho Chun-yan has written to the ICAC after the government ruled there was no conflict of interest.
A source close to Mr Suen said the minister was approached by friends from the charity Po Leung Kuk, not knowing the casino tycoon was also on the list. He said Mr Suen was adamant that even if he had known it would not constitute a conflict. The source said there was some truth to a conspiracy theory that said the row was brewing because Mr Suen had been tipped as a frontrunner for the chief secretary's post in the next administration. But he said Mr Suen 'has never been approached by anyone' for the No 2 post.
Poll officials fly in the face of convenience
Officials are bracing for a tough grilling today at a Legislative Council constitutional affairs panel meeting for holding the chief executive ballot at the conference venue next to Chek Lap Kok airport. Word has it that the government first started considering a venue for the polling soon after Tung Chee-hwa stepped down in March 2005.
But bookings for a venue could not proceed as it was still unclear at that time if the successor would serve until 2007 or 2010. The Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai was fully booked when officials approached the issue in July 2005, just after the chief executive by-election finished without a contest.
AsiaWorld-Expo is apparently the only venue available in March, with 70,000 sq ft to house the polling staff, journalists, candidates' supporters, the public, the 800 voters and a first-aid team - in the unlikely scenario someone gets too excited about the counting.
Is James Tien serious on retirement?
Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun has toyed with the idea of stepping down from the party, citing old age. He turned 60 on January 8, and has named two potential successors, Lily Chiang Lai-lei, deputy chairwoman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and commerce lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung.
A high-ranking government official cautioned against being too serious about Mr Tien's words, adding the businessman was a party strongman. 'His Liberal colleagues have joked there's no 'strong governance' in the government. But they say ... when James Tien says no, no one dares to say yes. I don't think he will stand down.'
