Hong Kong’s leader says community work must come first among district care teams, day after former municipal official withdraws from scheme
- Chief Executive John Lee calls on those taking part in government scheme to focus on community work after former district councillor and his team drop out
- Ken Chow earlier said Yuen Long Livelihood Serving Agency’s withdrawal was due to financial difficulties brought on by unsuccessful district council bid
Those who fail to put community work first should not be part of district service teams, Hong Kong’s leader has said after a former municipal official abruptly ended his contribution to the government initiative.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also said the government already had measures in place to cope with the cancellation of any related services.
Ken Chow Wing-kan a day earlier announced that the Yuen Long Livelihood Serving Agency would withdraw from the government’s care team programme, citing financial difficulties brought on by his unsuccessful district council bid.
Responding to Chow’s decision, Lee said: “All we want are people who are committed and have a passion for rendering this care service. And for those whose priority is not on providing the service wholeheartedly, with the passion and commitment, then probably he is not appropriate.”
The city leader said that the more than 400 care teams spanning the city’s 18 districts had been operating “very well”, with government funds and subsidies available to groups in need.
