Lawmakers clash over 'hijacked' motion

Staff reporter

A war of words broke out in the Legislative Council chamber yesterday after lawmaker Tommy Cheung Yu-yan accused his education sector colleague Chu Kwok-keung of "hijacking" a motion he proposed.

In the meeting, Cheung, who earlier panned small-class teaching in a news commentary, tabled a non-binding motion to urge the government to "comprehensively review [the teaching mode's effectiveness] in primary and secondary school."

But Chu subsequently proposed an amendment to Cheung's motion, which evidently leaned in support of the government's small-class teaching mode, recognizing its effectiveness and hoping it would be extended to secondary schools.

Cheung was furious at the amendment, deeming it as "completely distorting" the motion's intent, narrowing the scope and undermining its original goal of a broader review.

Chu expressed "deep regret" over Cheung's "hijack" remarks, saying the amendment paved the way for a more focused discussion.

Their colleague Paul Tse Wai-chun described Cheung as a senior bullying a junior.