Young Turks angry at not being invited to Democrats' review
Some second-tier members of the Democratic Party's 'Young Turks' faction criticised party leaders yesterday for not inviting them to a review today of its defeat in the district council elections. Chan King-ming, chairman of the party's New Territories East branch, said: 'They have not even invited those who won or lost ... only asking each of the district branches to send representatives. How can the party conduct an election review without even seeing election candidates?' With the party suffering a heavy defeat in the elections, internal rivalries have intensified amid calls for a change of tack by leaders and for more resources to be earmarked for district work.
Social security, disability allowances to be increased
The government plans to increase payments for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and the Disability Allowance by 2.8 per cent in February. The increases will cost an estimated HK$419 million a year, according to a Labour and Welfare Bureau paper submitted to the Legislative Council. The pension of an able-bodied senior citizen aged 60 or older will be raised to HK$2,370 a month, HK$65 more than the existing rate. The disability allowance will increase by HK$30 to HK$1,170 a month.
Former tourism chiefs to face Legco accounts panel hearings
The former executive director of the Tourism Board, Clara Chong Ming-wah, and former chairwoman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee will attend public hearings of the Legislative Council's Public Accounts Committee on Thursday. A report by the Director of Audit last week revealed overspending by the board in a number of areas. Mrs Chow approved a medical insurance policy in 2004 for Ms Chong and her family, costing taxpayers HK$177,000 over two years, without the financial secretary's approval.
