Leung Survives No-Confidence Vote

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

12 May 2003

Hong Kong Finance Minister Antony Leung survived a no-confidence vote in the legislature last week as the scandal surrounding his decision to purchase a luxury car just weeks before tax was raised on vehicle registrations refuses to die down.

The non-binding motion was introduced by independent politician and government critic Margaret Ng, but was defeated in a 31-22 vote. There were four abstentions.

Though the no-confidence vote was not expected to pass, it has unquestionably damaged the reputation of both the finance minister and his government, especially in the face of criticism over the Tung administration's handling of the SARS crisis.

Whilst Leung has acknowledged his mistake by donating to charity double the money he saved from buying the car six weeks before the March budget, he has repeatedly denied any wilful wrongdoing.

"Whatever his motive, as a matter of fact he benefited from insider information," Ms Ng said recently, proving that the opposition knives are likely to remain out for Leung for a while yet.

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