Hong Kong security chief says fugitive ex-lawmaker ‘hypocritical and cowardly’, freezing of bank accounts not tied to jumping bail
- John Lee’s statements at Legco on Wednesday accompanied news that Ted Hui’s district councillor salary was frozen on news of his self-exile
- The former Democratic Party lawmaker fled the country while out on bail awaiting charges tied to last year’s protests, actions at Legco
Hong Kong’s security minister on Wednesday slammed self-exiled former lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung as “shameless, hypocritical and cowardly” for jumping bail, while insisting the move to freeze bank accounts belonging to the activist and his family had nothing to do with his absconding.
The harsh criticism from John Lee Ka-chiu came as the government revealed it had stopped paying Hui’s district councillor salary after he announced he would not return on December 3, saying it was to ensure “public funds are properly used”.
“The Home Affairs Bureau expresses deep regret over the irresponsible act of Mr Hui,” a bureau spokesman said. District councillors are currently paid HK$33,950 per month, along with a monthly operating expenses reimbursement.
Hui, now in Britain, criticised the government’s move, calling it “political suppression overriding laws and procedures”.
“There is no legal basis to stop my remuneration payment. It bypassed the established procedures of the district council … and further showed that the administration was flustered and inconsistent,” he wrote on his social media account, adding his district councillor’s office had not stopped operating since he left Hong Kong.