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Translation
DRAFT SPEECH BY HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, OBE, SBS tJ, JP LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Heung Yee Kuk (Amendment) Bill 1988
MR. CHEUNG (in Cantonese):
Sir,
As proposed by the Heung Yee Kuk, the major amendment in the Heung Yee Kuk (Amendment) Bill 1988 is to expand the membership of the Executive Committee of the Heung Yee Kuk by up to 15 additional persons known as co-opted councillors.
From my
observation, the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance (Cap 1097) has been put into force for 28 years since its passage into law by this
Council in 1959. Throughout these years, our community in the
New Territories has witnessed considerable changes. Consequently, the workload of the Heung Yee Kuk has become increasingly heavy. As provided in section 9 of the Heung Yee
the Kuk Ordinance, one of objectives of the Kuk is "to advise the Government on social and economic developments in the interests of the welfare and prosperity of the people of the New Territories." Thus, the proposed amendment is in no way contradictory to the spirit of the Ordinance. In fact, it enhances the capability of the Kuk in coping with the changing needs and enables it to open its door and draw from a wider pool of available talents to improve its efficiency in serving the community. It is a good thing that the Kuk can make such a reform. It deserves our support.
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These additional co-opted councillors of the Kuk cannot be members of a Rural Committee, but are otherwise unrestricted to their eligibility for office. This is a clear indication
of the Kuk's determination to change its rules. If talented people are to become co-opted councillors only by way of election or nomination on a district basis, it would be difficult for the