Pan-democrats try to fan voter anger over ex-housing official

Pan-democrats are urging voters to consider different political parties' stances on the saga of former housing director Leung Chin-man - hoping that increasing discontent with the government over the issue will deter them from supporting pro-establishment parties in September.

Former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang yesterday added her voice to the pan-democratic camp in calling for Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen to suspend the approval of the former lands and buildings official being hired by a top property developer until a full account was given to the public.

Mrs Chan said there were legal issues to consider before the approval could be suspended, but also urged voters to consider a party's stance on the issue before voting.

Mr Leung retired in January last year and began his new job last week as executive director and deputy chairman of New World Development's mainland property arm, having been given approval by the secretary of the Civil Service Bureau, Denise Yue Chung-yee.

As a public servant, Mr Leung was caught up in two scandals that raised questions of government favouritism towards top property developers, one of which involved New World.

Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, who was accompanied by Mrs Chan while distributing pamphlets yesterday, said: 'Now people can see for themselves why there is a thing called the pro-establishment camp.'