Hong Kong rural leader denies waste dumping in HK$1.3m claim

A rural leader denied illegally dumping waste on one of his villagers' properties, claiming he was being set up for money, the High Court heard yesterday.

Sheung Shui rural committee chairman Hau Chi-keung denied allegations by farmer Lau Oi-kiu that he instructed property agent Man Chun-shing, another defendant in the case, to carry out fly-tipping on Lau's two fields.

The court heard that Hau and Man allegedly damaged Lau's two farming fields in July, 2009. She is claiming HK$1.3 million in damages from Hau.

Hau told the court yesterday: "All they need is money by taking this to court."

Cross-examined by Lau's barrister Yeung Ming-tai, Hau said: "I have so much land. Why do I need to occupy others' land?" The court heard that Hau was a landlord in Ho Sheung Heung in Sheung Shui.

"I have a big fortune," he said. "People say I will get rich if land resumption is carried out. Yes, I will get rich, and it is out of my control."

Hau said that after mid-July in 2009, government officials informed him of illegal waste dumping in Ho Sheung Heung. He said as a rural representative, he was duty-bound to remove the waste and restore the land to its original condition by planting grass and fruit trees.