2014-08-06
HKT 20:14
The Democratic Party has said it will ask the Independent Commission Against Corruption to launch an investigation over a report of an alleged conflict of interest involving an Assistant Director of Lands, Anita Lam.
The Ming Pao newspaper has published a report alleging that Ms Lam bought 80,000 square feet of farmland in Kam Tim two years ago - soon after an announcement of a review of land use for the northern New Territories.
It said the land was close to an area where the government announced in April that a new town was being planned.
The story follows an earlier alleged conflict of interest controversy over New Territories land involving the Secretary for Development, Paul Chan.
The Chief Executive of the Democratic Party, Lam Cheuk-ting, said the allegations warranted a proper investigation.
The Lands Department said there was no evidence that Ms Lam had used insider information to make her purchase which she had declared in writing in accordance with regulations.
A spokesman said the authorities have ordered her not to be involved in any government discussions or decisions about the Yuen Long plot.
He stressed the plot Ms Lam bought was "outside" the land area that was under review, and her request to build four village houses on her land was handled by other officials.
The department said it understood that such investments - which are allowed so long as they involve no conflict of interest - may cause public concerns and it will review whether there was a need to improve its declaration mechanism to avoid "perceived doubts" that may arise.
The Ming Pao newspaper has published a report alleging that Ms Lam bought 80,000 square feet of farmland in Kam Tim two years ago - soon after an announcement of a review of land use for the northern New Territories.
It said the land was close to an area where the government announced in April that a new town was being planned.
The story follows an earlier alleged conflict of interest controversy over New Territories land involving the Secretary for Development, Paul Chan.
The Chief Executive of the Democratic Party, Lam Cheuk-ting, said the allegations warranted a proper investigation.
The Lands Department said there was no evidence that Ms Lam had used insider information to make her purchase which she had declared in writing in accordance with regulations.
A spokesman said the authorities have ordered her not to be involved in any government discussions or decisions about the Yuen Long plot.
He stressed the plot Ms Lam bought was "outside" the land area that was under review, and her request to build four village houses on her land was handled by other officials.
The department said it understood that such investments - which are allowed so long as they involve no conflict of interest - may cause public concerns and it will review whether there was a need to improve its declaration mechanism to avoid "perceived doubts" that may arise.
