Hong Kong opposition lawmakers ordered to pay HK$252,000 for damaging Legco during debate over national anthem bill
- Legco president Andrew Leung says legislature will consider deducting the amount from lawmakers’ salaries or taking legal action
- But the opposition has accused authorities of trying to increase costs of protests and vow to act against any ‘unjust’ legislation in future
Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen on Tuesday said the bill was spent on replacing the carpet, air-conditioner filters, lawmakers’ seats and uniforms of security guards after three lawmakers – Ted Hui Chi-fung, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and Eddie Chu Hoi-dick – threw containers of stinky items in two separate meetings.
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Hong Kong lawmaker throws container of rotten plants in protest of controversial national anthem law
Speaking after a Legco meeting on Tuesday, Leung added the legislature would consider deducting the amount from lawmakers’ salaries, or even collecting it through legal means.
But the opposition accused authorities of trying to increase the costs of protests and vowed to carry on their actions to stop any “unjust legislation” in future.
“It is our obligation as legislators to exercise the right action to stop a legislation that violates the basic human rights of Hong Kong people, so we have no regret for our actions,” Chu said, adding he also expected criminal prosecution from authorities.
“But it would not stop us from carrying out our future actions when we face another unjust law,” he said.