CY Leung defends his development chief after farmland exposé

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Tuesday came to the defence of his embattled development minister Paul Chan Mo-po, saying Chan had met all the requirements in declaring interest in an agricultural plot.

Chan is facing calls to resign after a media exposé forced him to admit his family’s interest in farmland that lies within a government new town development project. The minister in charge of the project had not disclosed this interest until an Apple Daily report on Monday.

Before attending an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Leung spoke for the first time on the matter.

Asked if Chan should remain in his post, the chief executive came to his minister’s defence, saying Chan had met the requirements under the present declaration system.

“Mr Chan has fully complied with the requirements to declare interest under our system,” Leung said.

Leung did reply to a question as to why he did not disclose Chan’s link to the land. But he said he had noted suggestions that the declaration system might need expansion, so officials had to declare any interest held by their family members and spouses.

“There is room for improvement in any system. We will review it continuously,” Leung said.

Chan on Monday admitted that his wife formerly had a stake in farmland in Kwu Tong, an area that will be resumed under the development plan, but sold it to her family members last October. Chan said he had told Leung about the land.