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Leaders of Hong Kong's biggest Beijing-friendly party have decided to take no further action over the controversial claim by its chairman that there was no massacre in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.

The central committee of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong ruled last night that  the response  of party vice-chairman  Lau Kong-wah to Mr Ma's comments 'adequately represented' its position.

Pan-democrats condemned as evasive the committee's stance, announced by another DAB vice-chairman, Tam Yiu-chung.

Mr Ma, who is said to be undergoing medical treatment on  the mainland, drew widespread condemnation when he said the bloody military crackdown on the student protesters in Beijing was not a massacre and asked: ''How can people say bodies were minced under the tanks? Has anyone tried mincing meat under tanks?'

A day after he made the controversial remarks, Mr Ma admitted he might have acted rashly and frivolously, but stood by his claim that what had happened had not been 'a massacre'.

That same day, Mr Lau said Mr Ma's remarks were 'inappropriate' and added: 'If our chairman has sparked unnecessary arguments ...  the DAB  can make an apology.'

He said its central committee would discuss the issue and possible punishments at yesterday's meeting.

Lee Cheuk-yan, vice-chairman of the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said he was disappointed by the DAB's decision and insisted a public apology was still needed.

'They are evasive and gutless. They have not taken responsibility at all. Do they feel their chairman's remarks represent the party or not? If not, they could draw a clear line,' Mr Lee said.

He hopes to  raise funds  to place an advertisement in a newspaper calling on the DAB chairman to make a public apology and to 'ask Mr Ma whether he would invite Beijing to make public its file on June 4, since Mr Ma believed in seeking the truth'.

Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan also criticised the DAB's decision as evasive.

He  believes  Mr Ma should withdraw his comments.

'To make such remarks as a politician, you have to bear the moral and political responsibility. If you are remorseful, you should withdraw and apologise.'

The DAB chairman was not at the meeting. Mr Tam said the chairman was still receiving medical treatment on the mainland.

Not ready

Ma Lik says Hongkongers' belief there was a massacre in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989 shows they lack sufficient 'patriotism' to enjoy universal suffrage

The earliest he thinks the city could be ready for one man, one vote: 2022



DAB chiefs have no more to say about Ma Lik tirade