Hong Kong government offers up 9,400 items for Legco approval, on an all-or-nothing basis

Wang Chau housing project and Lantau reclamation part of package up for debate, but lawmakers say officials trying to avoid scrutiny of controversial items by bundling them with thousands of others

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Plans to develop the Lok Ma Chau Loop area are among those up for consideration. Photo: EPA

Published: 10:37pm, 2 Feb 2017Updated: 11:13pm, 2 Feb 2017

A group of lawmakers have criticised the government for bundling 26 controversial public construction projects in with a package of 9,400 items for legislators to decide whether to approve on Friday.

They urged the administration to let legislators scrutinise the 26 projects separately, saying they would otherwise stall the meeting to prevent the items being passed by requesting an adjournment and raising as many questions as possible.

The 26 projects, involving about HK$190 million, include a controversial housing plan for Wang Chau in Yuen Long, as well as a much-criticised Lantau tourism development project and contentious plans for new towns in the northeast New Territories.

The whole package of 9,400 items, involving about HK$12.4 billion, will be discussed by a Legislative Council public works subcommittee meeting on Friday, which will have to decide whether to approve it.

A Lantau tourism development plan, which local residents have criticised as expensive and unnecessary, is up for debate. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

The package is therefore being offered up on an all-or-nothing basis.