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SCMP Reporter

LEGISLATORS last night endorsed controversial legal changes giving women equal inheritance rights to New Territories land.

  Almost all the major political parties - the Liberal Party, the United Democrats and Meeting Point - and many independent legislators supported the amendment to the New Territories Land (Exemption) Bill.

  The vote of 36 for, two against and three abstentions followed an emotional three-hour debate.

  Moving the amendment, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Michael Suen Ming-yeung, said it targeted only equal land-succession rights for male and female indigenous residents.

  ''I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the administration has no intention of changing other customary rights currently enjoyed by indigenous villagers,'' he said.

   Burial rights and rates exemptions would continue to be enjoyed by indigenous residents, he said.

  As for the ''small-house'' policy, which allowed male villagers to build a home on land near their villages, Mr Suen said the Government recognised the concern of indigenous residents and would deal with the problem cautiously.

  He rejected allegations that the Government had been inconsistent in its policy towards the New Territories and said new demands arose during the legislation process.

  But several legislators accused the Government of mishandling the whole legislative process.

  Peggy Lam Pei Yu-dja, an independent, said the Government had twisted and turned throughout the process.

  It had failed to stick to its plan to settle doubts about the succession of non-rural land in the New Territories.

  ''The Government's extraordinary move to support some member's amendment to extend the scope of the bill to cover rural land is bizarre,'' she said.

  ''This has aroused disturbances in the rural community.''   Political veteran and independent Elsie Tu condemned the Government as acting like ''a bull in a china shop''.

  Tang Siu-tong, a legislator close to the rural community, said the Government's move was a concerted campaign to disrupt that community.

  But legislators from the liberal camp said passing legislation to grant equal succession rights to female indigenous residents was long overdue.

   Legislators should not hesitate to support equal rights for both genders, they said.

  Christine Loh Kung-wai, who first proposed the amendment, said everyone should have an equal right to inherit land or other property.

  ''The problem has dragged on for a long period of time simply because the Government was not firm enough in the past.''    Lau Wong-fat, who as chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk had spearheaded opposition to the amendment, cut short his speech in the debate and walked out.

   He said it was useless to try to convince legislators blinded by vested political interests.

   ''Indigenous residents will never accept unreasonable policies or legislation imposed upon them. We will continue to fight these policies,'' said Mr Lau.

  ''History will judge this government for its irresponsible policy with no regard to the life or death of its people.''   He confirmed the kuk had applied on Tuesday for a ''writ of summons'' from the Supreme Court.

  The writ would prevent the Government ''passing or proposing to pass legislation which may or will alter or materially alter the said traditional or customary rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories''.



NT Land amendment passed