HK leader in basement scandal apologizes
Source: Agencies |
December 11, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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HONG Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said yesterday he had been negligent and apologized for his handling of a scandal over an illegally built basement.
Leung was criticized by some lawmakers for failing to give a clear account of the unauthorized building work that called his integrity into question.
In space-starved Hong Kong, such embellishments to homes are common, but similar violations have ensnared several prominent officials over the past year.
"It was less than cautious, liable to cause misunderstanding and for this I'm prepared to accept public criticism," said Leung, who admitted "some negligence."
"Looking back, while I never had any intention of concealing anything, I must admit there was oversight on my part and my explanation was not sufficiently clear. I must once again solemnly offer my apologies," he said.
Leung had initially been considered an underdog in the election against rival Henry Tang. But a series of scandals, including one over illegal structures in Tang's home, proved a tipping point.
Some lawmakers accused Leung of discrediting Tang over a "palatial" basement and wine cellar in a family-owned villa while being guilty of similar wrongdoing himself.
"You got rid of the evidence and you started attacking your rival. He was speechless ... and then you got the chief executive's job," said lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung.
Leung yesterday sidestepped questions of whether he knew about the illegal structures during the election campaign, drawing the ire of some lawmakers, two of whom were ejected from the legislature after shouting for him to resign.
Leung, who faces a no-confidence motion tomorrow, earlier blamed a "memory lapse" for much of the confusion.
Leung was criticized by some lawmakers for failing to give a clear account of the unauthorized building work that called his integrity into question.
In space-starved Hong Kong, such embellishments to homes are common, but similar violations have ensnared several prominent officials over the past year.
"It was less than cautious, liable to cause misunderstanding and for this I'm prepared to accept public criticism," said Leung, who admitted "some negligence."
"Looking back, while I never had any intention of concealing anything, I must admit there was oversight on my part and my explanation was not sufficiently clear. I must once again solemnly offer my apologies," he said.
Leung had initially been considered an underdog in the election against rival Henry Tang. But a series of scandals, including one over illegal structures in Tang's home, proved a tipping point.
Some lawmakers accused Leung of discrediting Tang over a "palatial" basement and wine cellar in a family-owned villa while being guilty of similar wrongdoing himself.
"You got rid of the evidence and you started attacking your rival. He was speechless ... and then you got the chief executive's job," said lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung.
Leung yesterday sidestepped questions of whether he knew about the illegal structures during the election campaign, drawing the ire of some lawmakers, two of whom were ejected from the legislature after shouting for him to resign.
Leung, who faces a no-confidence motion tomorrow, earlier blamed a "memory lapse" for much of the confusion.
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