Hong Kong rejects activist’s bid for legal aid to mount challenge over IT hub
Legal Aid Department rejects Eddie Tse’s application, hindering his judicial review attempt against government push for San Tin Technopole
Hong Kong’s Legal Aid Department has rejected an activist’s application for financial assistance, hindering his attempt to pursue a judicial review over the government’s approval of an environmental impact study on the San Tin Technopole project.
Social worker Eddie Tse Sai-kit told the Post on Friday he was gathering more information after the department turned down his request for help in covering the cost of filing the legal challenge over the proposed innovation and technology (I&T) park in the Northern Metropolis.
“I need to understand more about the situation before I consider reviewing the legal aid decision,” Tse said.
As the department would not grant him financial assistance to cover lawyers’ fees, Tse will have to pay for the legal proceedings out of his own pocket if he chooses to continue with the challenge.
The Northern Metropolis aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land in the New Territories, close to the city’s border with mainland China, into an economic powerhouse and housing centre.
The government has pledged to press ahead with the project despite the judicial challenge, with Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs Xia Baolong calling on business leaders to support the city’s long-term blueprint by participating in the development.
