Former Hong Kong minister wanted budget to include HK$3,000 ‘red packets’ for all
Raymond Tam says he proposed cash handouts for every adult permanent resident during consultation meeting with NPC deputies
Speaking to the Post in Beijing, Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, now a deputy in China’s legislature – the National People’s Congress – said he had proposed to the administration to give HK$3,000 each to adult permanent residents, and he was “a bit disappointed” that the suggestion had not been accepted.
“I absolutely support cash handouts to all … simplicity is beauty,” said Tam, who was a career civil servant before becoming the city’s secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs.
Tam said he believed his proposal was the fairest way to benefit all citizens and would make everyone happy.
With the city posting a record surplus of HK$138 billion (US$17.6 billion), Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po last month announced in his annual budget a combination of salary and profits tax rebates and increased old age and disability allowances for at least two million Hongkongers.