Ousted Hong Kong district councillor told to repay HK$110,000 in allowances to government
- Former Kowloon City district councillor Tony Kwok says he is considering seeking legal advice over the government’s ‘unreasonable’ move
- Home Affairs Department said it would not comment on individual cases but stressed it was acting in accordance with the law
Hong Kong authorities have told an opposition politician recently stripped of his district council seat to return more than HK$110,000 (US$14,100) in allowances and payments for expenses.
Former Kowloon City district councillor Tony Kwok Tin-lap on Thursday said he was considering seeking legal advice over the government’s “unreasonable” move.
The Democratic Party member was one of 10 opposition councillors unseated on September 29 after their allegiance to the city was called into question following an oath-taking ceremony a week earlier.
Kwok was eligible to claim HK$411,700 on a pro-rata basis for his service in 2021 but had already been paid HK$523,100 in advance, according to a letter, dated October 8, he received from the Kowloon City District Council secretariat.
Kwok said he was expected to repay about HK$110,000 to the government.
His case is the first to emerge of councillors disqualified for not having their oath validated being asked to repay the government.
