Leong's campaign aides play down wall of security

A previously low-profile VIP protection unit has recently been in the limelight, especially after one of its members embarrassingly dropped his pistol, scattering its bullets, when stopping protesters from confronting the chief executive last month.

The appearance of several suited and wired gentlemen at Wednesday's election forum fuelled further intrigue over the unit, especially if you asked various people involved in the election, none of whom seems particularly keen to have them around.

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's use of the G4 protection unit on the campaign trail has been the butt of jokes from his challenger Alan Leong Kah-kit, who frequently questions how the public can reach Mr Tsang through a wall of toughs.

No wonder then that campaign aides played down its presence while admitting it was due to Mr Leong's request. He is entitled to its services since he is officially a chief executive candidate.

'They've approached us several times since Mr Leong became a candidate and we've always rejected their offer. But this time, we thought that with a large election forum going on - amid fears there might not be enough security - we would ask them to help out,' a spokeswoman said.

Campaign strategist Ronny Tong Ka-wah said he was not sure why it had become necessary to employ the unit's services.