At least three newcomers to Hong Kong's legislature, including members of the city's largest political party, have failed to declare company shareholdings, blaming the omissions on heavy workloads or misunderstandings. The South China Morning Post found these lapses after cross-referencing declarations with the Companies Registry. Lawmakers are required to disclose holdings exceeding 1% by the first meeting of each term.
At least three newcomers to Hong Kong's legislature, including two from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), have failed to declare company shareholdings, the South China Morning Post has found. The lawmakers are Jody Kwok Fu-yung and Hung Kam-in of the DAB, and lawyer Thomas So Shiu-tsung. They attribute the omissions to heavy workloads or misunderstandings.
The deadline for all lawmakers to declare their interests passed on Wednesday. Kwok told the Post on Thursday: “I am still a newcomer and have to handle many matters, such as [a new] office and meetings.” She added: “I have been very cautious about my conduct, declarations of interests and speeches. This time is an honest mistake.”
Under Legco's rules of procedure, lawmakers must declare shareholdings in any companies or bodies exceeding 1 per cent of the total shares by the first Legislative Council meeting of each term. The Post's review of declarations from Legco's 40 first-time lawmakers, cross-referenced with the Companies Registry, revealed the three had not complied by Wednesday.
The incident highlights the challenges for new lawmakers in adapting to their roles, though they stress it was an unintentional oversight. No formal investigation has been announced, but it underscores the importance of transparency in the legislature.
