Leaked paper poses question of collusion for DAB and government

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong is known for its enthusiastic support for the government - but it has inadvertently revealed even deeper ties; the administration is apparently giving its lawmakers questions to put to officials.

The link was exposed in a document picked up by rival lawmaker "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung after it was left behind by the DAB's Leung Che-cheung.

Under the heading "follow-up questions supplied by the Security Bureau", the document sets out talking points for lawmakers at a security panel hearing yesterday on the muchmaligned system for assessing claims for refugee status.

Leung Che-cheung admitted that the document, from the DAB's research division, was genuine and that the DAB had "touched base" with the administration "to let officials prepare for our questions".

He accused his rival of having "unauthorised access" to the paper, which advises lawmakers to say: "I think the system is highly fair - but only to the claimants. It is highly unfair to taxpayers."

They are told to ask: "A claimant should apply for assistance once they arrive in Hong Kong. But information showed they applied after an average of 14 months … why [did] they not do it as soon as they arrived?"