How an Ap Lei Chau housing petition became a war of words over the national flag
Former lawmaker Kenneth Chan Ka-lok clashes with chief executive ahead of Executive Council meeting
On Tuesday, after answering the media’s questions ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Leung Chun-ying received petitions from members of the public, including Civic Party member and former legislator Kenneth Chan Ka-lok, who wanted to hand Leung a petition against a controversial town planning project in Ap Lei Chau.
The proposal involves rezoning at least 1.18 hectares of prime harbourfront land to allow construction of 1,400 private flats on Lee Nam Road by private developers. District councillors and residents raised concerns about population density and traffic congestion last September.
Chan, an associate professor on international politics at Baptist University, reiterated calls for the government to abandon the plan when he confronted Leung outside the Exco meeting.
Pointing his finger at the flag-raising podium in the government headquarters, Leung reportedly asked Chan: “This is a place flying the five-star red flag, why are you here?”