Anson Chan condemns Tsang over appointees

Anson Chan Fang On-sang yesterday condemned the chief executive for failing to correct his mistakes over the political appointees saga, and urged Hongkongers to join the annual July 1 march to demand universal suffrage and an accountable government.

The former chief secretary, now a pro-democracy lawmaker, fired her broadside as Beijing loyalists joined forces to scuttle a Democrat's resolution at the end of a six-hour debate in the legislature.

The resolution, by Lee Wing-tat, sought to invoke special powers seeking papers, books, records and documents regarding the salaries and fringe benefits of undersecretaries and political assistants.

The Beijing-friendly camp said Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who made an unprecedented move in addressing Legco ahead of the resolution yesterday, had demonstrated his commitment and responsibility. But pan-democrats accused him of stepping away from the controversy when he refused to answer questions after addressing the council.

Mrs Chan accused Mr Tsang of ignoring public opinion when handling the row over the new political team.

She described the leader's Legco appearance as mere 'political cosmetics', adding that people should question the Beijing-friendly lawmakers who had approved the appointees' salaries.

'The chief executive and the government are arrogant, ignoring people's views and failing to correct mistakes. They refuse to shoulder responsibility and even do not apologise sincerely,' she said.