2020.04.09 We strongly condemn Dennis KWOK for abusing of power We strongly condemn the Civic party’s Dennis KWOK for abusing of power and prolonging the proceedings when he chaired the Legislative Council House Committee (the Committee) of year 2019-2020. Since last October, the Committee has met 14 times but is still unable to elect a Chairperson. This severely hampers the operation of the Committee, affects the LegCo to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities as set out in the Basic Law and damage the functioning of Hong Kong society. We urge the Chair of the LegCo and the Committee Chairperson of the year 2018-2019 to deal with the difficult situation. Dennis KWOK as chairperson deviated significantly from the chairperson election procedure stated in Appendix IV of the House Rules for LegCo and abused his power as the chair. He allowed various irrelevant issues to delay and derail the selection of a chairperson and thereby accomplished his political goal of paralyzing the Committee. This shutdown of the Committee has resulted in failing to set up committees to consider 14 bills and sub-committees to follow up 80 subsidiary legislations. What is more infuriating is that many subsidiary legislations to do with quarantine and prohibition of group gatherings are most probably not going to be considered in LegCo. The shutdown of the Committee has also put the selection of the next Chief Justice in jeopardy which is a grave threat to the legal stability and judicial system of Hong Kong. This is akin to “total annihilation” in legislative and judicial form which can only bring grave harm to the people and society of Hong Kong. We urge the government to follow up the issue of Tanya CHAN’s breaching the law in relation to group gatherings Different sectors of society should will themselves to enforce and follow prohibition of group gatherings and social distancing during this critical moment of preventing the spread of COVID-19 outbreak to relieve the burden on the medical system. However, Tanya CHAN of the Civic Party met at a bar with over 40 people and was suspected to contravene the “Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation” (“the prohibition on group gathering”). The bar may also violate the “Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation”. Tanya even argued that she was “performing her duties as a Legislative Councillor” but there is no such exemption for councillors to hold gatherings outside LegCo. According to media reports, a local resident said that though the bar was half-shuttered, it was still open for business. But Tanya said the bar was not open for business. Was she lying? She needs to tell the truth to the public. We must point out that the spirit of “the prohibition on group gathering” is to stop groups from spreading the virus faster. Many cases have shown that bars are high-risk for the spread of COVID-19. Society feels that Tanya’s meeting with 40 people in such a high-risk place at this time is a dangerous and thoughtless act that epitomizes their attitude of “total annihilation” and increasing the danger of COVID-19 being spread. How does she plan to face the hard-working frontline medical staff? Tanya’s denial of her wrongdoing and bad excuses will give a misleading impression that Legislative Councillors have special provisions to ignore regulations and law. It adversely affects our efforts to fight the virus. We strongly condemn the behavior and excuses of Tanya CHAN and demand that she apologize to the public. The government must strictly follow up on this issue according to the law to exemplify equality before the law and alert the society to remain vigilant concerning measures of virus prevention.

2020.04.09 The COVID-19 outbreak continues and the economic downturn in Hong Kong heavily affects residents’ livelihood especially those who are paying off mortgages. Many banks offer “principal payment holiday scheme” and streamline related procedures and shortened vetting and approval time to alleviate the pressure faced by mortgage clients. Wilson OR says that recently many HOS flats owners complained that they are not eligible for these principal payment holiday schemes. Wilson OR learned from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Housing Authority (HA) that HOS flats owners are not eligible to join because banks are restricted by two major terms in mortgage default guarantee: the default guarantee period of mortgage and the monthly principal repayment. About 70,000 owners of subsidized sale flats, including the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme and Tenants Purchase Scheme, are not able to join these principal payment holiday schemes. Horace CHEUNG who has assisted these owners points out that the HA and HKMA should provide assistance in a flexible manner. He suggests the HA to provide a declaration document or some other way of ensuring that the agreement reached between banks and the HOS owners on principal payment holiday schemes will not violate the mortgage default guarantee between the HA and banks. These schemes then become available to HOS owners in desperate need. Finally, Wilson OR reiterates that the DAB team will follow up on this issue and urges the HA,HKMA and banks to keep restrictions to a minimum to benefit more home owners. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor Horace Cheung (9681 8757)、Wilson Or (9266 1035)

2020.04.09 The DAB recently received complaints that the risk of virus infection may increase due to personal prescribed inspection required by the mandatory window inspection scheme (MWIS). DAB Legislative Councillor LEUNG Che-Cheung suggested to the government that the implementation of MWIS should be adjusted and delayed to prevent the spread of the virus. However, MWIS should take place if there are potential threats to residents and the public at large. Another DAB Legislative Councillor Wilson OR requested the government to ensure close collaboration between departments on epidemic prevention. He will follow up on this issue with the Development Bureau at a later date. DAB Legislative Councillor Holden CHOW reiterated that the implementation of the MWIS should be adjusted to meet the target on epidemic prevention. MWIS should take place if there are potential threats to residents and the public at large. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor LEUNG Che-cheung (9016 8088)、Holden Chow(3703 9870)、Wilson Or (9266 1035)

2020.04.08 The government announced the second phase of Anti-epidemic Fund involving $137.5 billion with a target of helping businesses stay afloat and keeping workers in employment. It will cover those industries that are left out of the first phase of the Fund. The DAB welcomes the second phase as it is a step in the right direction. Under the Employment Support Scheme, the employers receiving the funding have to promise that there will be no redundancy. We hope that the second phase of the Fund can truly help protect employees. However, in regards to the government planning to relax the asset limits for CSSA and allowing the unemployed to apply, we believe it is well-intentioned but set the threshold too strictly. The government should further relax the asset limits for more unemployed people to benefit. On the other hand, the government’s promise of further reducing rents and fee at government premises takes a leading role and we urge the private landowners to heed the call of society and reduce rents to get through the difficult times together. Looking back at the experience of implementing phase one of the Fund, we expect the second phase will be submitted to LegCo Finance Committee for approval in mid-April. We call on the opposition parties to refrain from blocking the bill and figuratively stepping on the hands of people and businesses barely hanging on to a cliff. Finally, we hope the government will announce the implementation details of this phase as soon as possible to provide timely relief for desperate industries and people. After the details are announced, we will contact various industrial sectors along with the general public and gather their opinions and advice on phase two of the Fund. Media Inquiries: Starry LEE, DAB Chairperson (7770 0820)

2020.04.06 Incidents of violence and unfairness flooded the 2019 District Council Election. DAB candidates had their offices violently vandalized with fire and water attacks while candidates themselves and their volunteers had had their identities and private information maliciously doxed and also suffered interference in public. However, the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) has made light of such serious incidents. It has not condemned any acts of violence or electoral unfairness, nor did it follow up on any complaints of electoral violence. This is extremely unfair to our electoral candidates and the people of Hong Kong are disappointed. The 2020 LegCo election is coming and the EAC has released the proposed guidelines on Legislative Council Election for public consultation. The government should quickly plug the loopholes in the election guidelines and protect the rights and safety of candidates and voters in a way that adapts to social developments and trends. Media Inquiries: Starry LEE, DAB Chairperson (7770 0820)

2020.03.21 The Education Bureau (EB) announced that the DSE written tests, previously set to commence on March 27, will be postponed to April 24 while Chinese and English-language oral examinations will be canceled.  Classes of all schools which are originally scheduled to resume in phases on April 20 the earliest would be further suspended. The EB would announce details about class resumption three weeks ahead of the exact date. The decision to postpone the DSE and extend the suspension at this critical moment is understandable and it is necessary to protect the health of the students. We expect the EB and the Examination and Assessment Authority (EAA) provide adequate support to all candidates in helping them to handle various problems emerged due to the postponement, especially those cross-border candidates receiving 14-day quarantine. We are also concerned about the implementation of “suspending classes without suspending learning”.  The EB should provide provision and support to schools in formulating comprehensive and in-depth on-line teaching; and provide counselling services to parents suffered from long-term class suspension. Meanwhile, the EB should research and discuss with various stakeholders the arrangements for summer vacation so as to allow schools, parents and students time to prepare. On another front, applications to local and foreign universities by this year’s DSE takers may be adversely affected due to the DSE postponement.  The authority should look into the student admission arrangements of local universities to ensure that both candidates and parents will receive the latest news from the EB and from the universities in question on this issue. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor Horace Cheung (9681 8757)

2020.03.19 The DAB met with Link REIT management early this year urging them to reduce rents for both business tenants and parking spaces.  We received their replies that they would freeze the rents for car parks and cut the rents by half for nanny vans and school buses for six months starting from April to September. DAB Legislative Councillor Wilson OR comments that these measures are “better than nothing” as only a small number of car parks tenants could be benefited.  The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely affected industries across the board, not just the transportation sector.  We urge the Link REIT to reduce rents for all car parks to fulfill their social responsibilities and stand alongside their tenants to navigate this difficult period together. The DAB is very disappointed that Link REIT has no plans to reduce rents for business tenants.  Wilson OR will continue to bring this up with Link REIT, the Housing Authority and divested property owners and urge: Link REIT and its divested property owners and HA to provide 50% rent reduction for parking spaces for six months Link REIT and its divested property owners to reduce rents for all business and SME tenants by 50% for half a year HA to proactively intervene to ensure that the rent reductions for street markets will actually benefit stall owners directly, which means stall owners can receive 50% rent reduction for half a year. Link REIT and its divested property owners and HA to temporarily hold those unnecessary repair or renovation work to avoid obstructing business operations. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor Wilson Or (9266 1035)

2020.03.17 Even though the government has set aside $30 billion for the Anti-epidemic Fund while the Financial Secretary’s Budget Announcement publicized many large-scale relief measures, these measures did not cover the unemployed.  We request the government to expand its relief measures to support the unemployed as follow: Provide assistance fund to the unemployed The government should provide assistance fund for at least 3 months at no less than $6,000/month to each unemployed recipient and shorten the approval time to assist those who lost their jobs, have no income or are underemployed during the virus outbreak. Create government jobs In 2003 after the SARS epidemic the government created 30,000 jobs and we urge the government to do something similar this time around and hire suitable unemployed personnel to join the fight against the virus.  For example, hire them to clean various districts, support those families in quarantine and help administer quarantine centers as well as other related jobs. Implement two cash subsidy schemes under the Community Care Fund Back in January the Chief Executive promoted two time-limited cash allowances schemes for both the unemployed and the underemployed and the task force of the Community Care Fund is responsible to draft the details.  As the earliest these handouts will be given out will be October, we urge the government to provide sufficient staff and give these payouts to those with immediate financial difficulties as soon as possible. Make the “Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme” more flexible The “Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme” is open for application from March 23rd and each eligible retail store will receive a one-off subsidy of $80,000.  We suggest the government to make the scheme more flexible so as to allow unconventional retail sectors such as beauty, hairdressing and so on to apply for funding through this scheme. Expand the “first-hire-then-train” training scheme The government provides subsidies and promotes the “first-hire-then-train” approach in elderly service and construction industry to solve the problem of understaffed, enhance the overall calibre of the industries and attracts young people interested in professional services and skills acquisition.  We urge the government to expand the scope to cover different industries such as catering, hotel, tourism and publishing industries to provide the unemployed young people more chances to get employed or undergo skills training. Media Inquiries: Legislative Councilor Vincent Cheng (6373 1979)​、Frankie Ngan (6600 2511)

2020.03.16 Tung Chung District Councillor WONG Chun Yeung released a statement on social media saying that he will “refuse service” to any local resident who supports enacting Article 23.  DAB Legislative Councillor Holden CHOW strongly condemned that Wong’s “my way or the highway” attitude and political-oriented discriminatory conduct was despicable and poured scorn on his role as a public servant.  He demands WONG to immediately retract his speech and apologize to the people of Tung Chung. Not long ago some district councillors who putting up notice saying “No ‘blue ribbons’ and dogs allowed” on their office doors also aroused hatred and bigotry.  This triggered a series of discriminatory “pick and choose” actions where some district councillors followed suits.  Holden CHOW condemns the opposition camp spreading hatred which deeply harm Hong Kong society.  Holden calls on Hong Kong people to condemn these bigoted acts and stop the spread of hatred. Holden also demands the opposition camp including the Civic Party to explain the suspected discriminatory behavior of its member LAU Ka Heng and whether they will openly shield and condone such heinous acts. Media Inquiries: Legislative Councilor Holden Chow (3703 9870)

2020.03.16 DAB Legislative Councillors Ben CHAN, Wilson OR and Elizabeth QUAT met with the Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank CHAN on Mar 13th and proposed the MTRC to reduce fares by 10%. The MTRC will base on the Nominal Wage Index of the transportation section going to be announced by the Census and Statistics Department in late March to activate the direct-drive formula.  Ben CHAN said that “the public expects the fares adjustment to trend downward negative, but the mechanism is adjusted on a yearly basis and thus the results lags behind and fails to reflect the economy hard-hit due to the anti-extradition bill protests and epidemic.  Therefore, Ben CHAN requested the MTRC to shoulder its societal responsibility by reducing fares by 10% across the board. Ben CHAN explained that MTR fares have risen close to 30% in the past ten years.  The proposed 10% reduction is simply a return to the 2015 fare level.  He emphasized that “even though in February the MTRC promised to freeze this year fare, the public has been disappointed to the quality of service provided by the MTRC.  A significant fare reduction will be far more acceptable by the public.” Ben CHAN also discussed the problem of MTR’s fare structure with Frank Chan in the meeting.  The current fare discrepancy between the East Rail and West Rail lines means that commuters in the western New Territories have to pay expensive fares.  The DAB urges the government to review the current fare structure and unify the calculation method of all fares on every line to avoid the public feeling unfair and not reasonable.  Elizabeth QUAT emphasized that the MTRC should seize the opportunity of the opening of the full Tuen Ma Line and the railway development strategy to review the whole fare system. Wilson OR said that they have also exchanged views on the Rail-plus-Property development model and expressed concern about considerable property management remuneration.  Wilson has urged the government to review the relevant policies. Media Inquiries: Legislative Councilor Ben Chan (9274 7035)

January 31st, 2020 The government has strengthened efforts on disease prevention at immigration, and is closely monitoring travelers from Hubei and Hong Kong residents who have traveled to Hubei by putting them into quarantine centres. This is an important step forward but society as a whole worries that these measures are insufficient. We urge the government to impose stricter entry restrictions on travelers from severely affected areas, and put those in contact with travelers from Hubei under medical supervision. We are disappointed that the government did not mention the latest update on supplies of masks and protective products. The DAB reiterates that the government should announce the progress of worldwide sourcing of masks and other protective products by the government and other suppliers, the number of such supplies reaching Hong Kong and their distribution in the market in each update in order to allow residents to get hold of the supply situation of these products in a timely way. We are also disappointed that the government cannot expatriate the Hong Kong residents in Hubei. Their exposure to risk remains a concern. The government should find a way to safely repatriate them back to Hong Kong as soon as possible. Media Inquiries: DAB Legislative Councilor and spokesperson on Health Ann Chiang 25396111 / 97575225

January 31st, 2020 Under the threat posed by the spread of novel coronavirus, Hong Kong is facing supply problems with the provision of masks and other protective products. The DAB expressed deep concern over the situation and strongly urge the government to take the following measures to tackle the lack and low quality of medical supplies: Announce the progress of worldwide sourcing of masks and other protective products, the number of such supplies reaching Hong Kong and their distribution in the market on a daily basis. Hand out masks which are not urgently needed to the general public for free. Give full support to suppliers to find new sources of masks and protective items and expedite the procurement process. Include masks and other protective products into the “Reserved Commodities Ordinance” and formulate administrative measures to get hold of the supply quantities, distribute effectively and control prices. Stop unscrupulous merchants from speculating, stockpiling and selling the substandard masks and other protective products. Ensure adequate supply of masks for the needy, hospitals, schools and frontline personnel. Stabilize the supply of masks and other protective products. Media Inquiries: Holden Chow 3703 9870 Vincent Cheng 6373 1979