Lawmakers prepare to trash timetable for landfill expansion plan
Pan-democrats may find unlikely ally from Tuen Mun, as residents rally against expansion
Landfill extensions in Ta Kwu Ling and Tuen Mun are facing another setback after lawmakers vowed to launch a filibuster to delay government funding applications in the Legislative Council next Friday.
Lawmaker "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung of the League of Social Democrats yesterday said he was preparing to file up to 52,000 amendments in next week's Finance Committee meeting, the last in this legislative session.
The move could stop the application for the projects, which the government says are essential to stave off a waste crisis, being passed before the summer break.
"The amendments will focus on all fronts of rubbish management in the city, from waste reduction at source to the waste recycling industry," Leung said. "The aim is to prevent the fund applications being passed in the current session."
People Power lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip and Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan also suggested that they might join Leung's filibuster effort.
"You can call it [a filibuster if] you like," Wong said "I am going to ask questions next Friday."
Tuen Mun residents' opposition also means the pan-democrats might find an unusual ally in their cause - pro-government lawmaker Lau Wong-fat, chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk and Tuen Mun district council.