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Matthew Cheng

Hong Kong lawmaker William Wong Kam-fai failed to report his arrest for alleged drink-driving to the Legislative Council as required under its code of conduct and is expected to face an internal investigation that could result in stiff penalties, the South China Morning Post has learned.
Legco’s Supervisory Committee said on Thursday that it would handle cases involving lawmakers’ conduct “in a serious and solemn manner” based on the code for members, acknowledging the public was highly concerned about the incident.
Political observers also warned that recent traffic offences involving lawmakers would damage Legco’s image and credibility.
Wong, 66, who is also an associate dean of engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was arrested on Monday night after crashing his car into two parked vehicles on campus. He was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, careless driving and failing to stop and report after a traffic accident.
Sources said on Thursday that Wong did not inform the legislature or explain the matter to fellow lawmakers before it became public on Wednesday, constituting a breach of the members’ code regarding the “timely reporting of legal proceedings”.
Under the code, lawmakers found guilty of misconduct may face penalties ranging from written warnings to suspension and pay deductions, following an investigation by Legco’s Supervisory Committee.
While the committee typically launches an investigation after receiving complaints, several lawmakers familiar with its operations said they expected it to examine Wong’s case.
The legislators, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the case was more serious than that of lawmaker Judy Chan Kapui’s traffic offence earlier this year.
Chan was fined HK$2,000 (US$255) in March after pleading guilty to driving against the flow of traffic, for which the committee issued her a written warning.
The lawmakers added that Wong had failed to explain the incident transparently, damaging public perception.
They said Wong could face a harsher penalty than Chan did, and a disqualifying mechanism could be triggered if he received a jail sentence. Drink-driving carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$25,000.

Under the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, lawmakers convicted and sentenced to one month or more in prison for criminal offences may be disqualified if Legco passes a motion to remove them with a two-thirds majority.
Wong apologised for the incident on social media on Wednesday, saying it had caused inconvenience for the legislature, the university and various sectors. He also pledged to fully cooperate with the police investigation.
He declined to provide further comment when contacted by the SCMP, citing the ongoing investigation.
Emeritus Professor John Burns of the University of Hong Kong said lawmakers should uphold exemplary standards of conduct and strictly obey the law, stressing that drink-driving could cause serious injury or even death.
“I think it does damage the [legislature’s] credibility, because these are lawmakers … this does not set a very good example for the rest of the community,” Burns said.
He said that Wong, who was elected by a small circle of voters in the Election Committee constituency, appeared to lack the awareness to fully explain the matter to the public.
“If he were popularly elected, then he would perhaps be under more pressure to give an account of what happened,” Burn said, citing the case of Judy Chan, who swiftly came forward after committing a traffic offence.
“This shows some deficiencies in the way our legislature is formed and to whom [it] is accountable.”
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said Wong’s conduct had fallen short of public expectations and would inevitably damage the legislature’s image. He called on lawmakers to act with greater prudence.
Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a senior counsel and member of the city’s key decision-making Executive Council, said drink-driving was a serious offence and described the incident as a matter of integrity.
The government adviser added that if Wong drove away from the scene in an attempt to lower his blood alcohol concentration or avoid a breathalyser test, it could amount to perverting the course of justice.
In 2024, Wong proposed using artificial intelligence to combat drink-driving more effectively.
“Many drivers, tempted by convenience, take the risk of driving home after drinking just one or two glasses of alcohol. Once an accident occurs, it is too late for regrets,” he said at the time.
He had also urged the government to raise public awareness by strengthening education and encouraging the development of designated driver services to help prevent dangerous driving incidents.
Wong is also a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s top political advisory body. It is currently unclear whether Wong will face immediate expulsion over the incident.
Lau emphasised that Beijing expected deputies to the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress to have high “moral standards”, and that the case could affect Wong’s reappointment, depending on the course of events.
While the expulsion of a CPPCC member was rare, Lau said it was more likely that Wong would step down at the end of the term.
A CPPCC member, speaking anonymously, cited the case of former deputy Witman Hung Wai-man, who held onto his position until the end of his term after breaching Covid-19 regulations in the “partygate” scandal in 2022.
But the member said Wong might not be reappointed when the next term begins in 2028.
The university earlier acknowledged the arrest, but declined to comment further, as the case was under police investigation.
Wong has been released on bail and is due to report back to police in late July.


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Hong Kong politics

Lawmaker William Wong failed to tell Legco about arrest, set for committee probe

Lawmaker Wong Kam-fai attends the handover flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Ronny Tong (pictured) has said that if Wong drove away from the scene in an attempt to lower his blood alcohol concentration or avoid a breathalyser test, it could amount to perverting the course of justice. Photo: Sun Yeung

Lawmaker William Wong says sorry after arrest over CUHK drink-driving crash

Hong Kong lawmaker William Wong attends a handover anniversary event on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

The accident happened at a Chinese University car park. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong Legco issues warning to lawmaker Judy Chan over traffic offence

Lawmaker Judy Chan (left) and Legco president Starry Lee. Photo: Dickson Lee

Judy Chan was earlier filmed driving against the flow of traffic in Wan Chai. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong lawmaker Judy Chan fined HK$2,000 for driving against traffic

Judy Chan takes the MTR after leaving Eastern Court. Photo: Jelly Tse

Judy Chan leaves Eastern Court on Monday. Photo: Jelly Tse

Judy Chan’s car was filmed driving against traffic into a parking area at Everbright Centre on January 23. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Sources say Wong’s silence over drink-driving arrest constitutes breach of members’ code related to ‘timely reporting of legal proceedings’


Sources say Wong’s silence over drink-driving arrest constitutes breach of members’ code related to ‘timely reporting of legal proceedings’.


Lawmaker William Wong failed to tell Legco about arrest, set for committee probe

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sources say Wong’s silence over drink-driving arrest constitutes breach of members’ code related to ‘timely reporting of legal proceedings’

Sources say Wong’s silence over drink-driving arrest constitutes breach of members’ code related to ‘timely reporting of legal proceedings’