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Letters

I agree with Paul Serfaty's clear and incisive letter ("HK's vested interests are a cancer eating at our social fabric", February 17).
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and your photographer Nora Tam captured such a moment in the photo accompanying the report ("Numbers add up to a good new year, Lee says", February 17).
Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat and developer Lee Shau-kee appeared to be sharing a joke behind the back of suitably unwitting government official Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
Lau's eight-finger gesture in the picture appeared to indicate expected good fortune, possibly mixed with some gossip. It seems certain that both Lau and Lee can expect a good year, considering their vast land holdings in the New Territories.
Once the government has put in the necessary transport and drainage infrastructure, they will be laughing all the way to the bank.
The message "don't be greedy in the Year of the Goat" was creatively interpreted by Lau as meaning Hong Kong should accept whatever political reform China is offering. (Lau is a clever politician.)
However, this deflects from a more direct interpretation. New Territories land should be used for much-needed low-cost homes, and not squirrelled away by dominant owners and developers waiting for "greedy" profits on luxury projects.
The government could use the compulsory purchase process to take back this land, rather than its dastardly plans to creep into the country parks under the guise of overriding public interest.
Lau, Lee and Cheung were attending a ceremony related to Pok Oi Hospital, which will be built on land donated by Lee.
Cheung states that "the project is a good example of how the business and welfare sector, and the government, can cooperate for the benefit of the community".
I strongly disagree as it is a cosy arrangement, and allows a handful of dominant developers to be ever more enmeshed in Hong Kong's social fabric.
If welfare facilities are necessary, then the government has a huge surplus of funds to handle such projects, without relying on tycoon charity, which in reality comes at a heavy price for society.
Frank Lee, Wan Chai


New Territories land should be used for low-cost housing

Lau Wong-fat will have a very good year. Photo: SCMP Pictures 

Opinion