Lee's manifesto heavy on land, housing action

Presumptive chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu will step up the land supply through the two mega projects - Lantau Vision Tomorrow and Northern Metropolis - under his election manifesto that will be unveiled today, sources said.

Lee, who will announce his platform at 11am today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, intends to simplify policies and administrative procedures for land and housing development to solve one of the most pressing issues of the city.

It is understood that the former chief secretary will continue with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's emphasis on tackling land and housing shortage.

Sources said Lee could allow more people to be eligible for public housing by raising the wage cap so youngsters can join the queue.

The current monthly salary caps are HK$12,940 for a single-member household, HK$19,550 for two, HK$24,410 for three and HK$30,950 for four.

The highest is HK$62,980 for a household of 10 members or more.

Sources said the ceilings will be moved up a little bit, so youngsters can secure a public flat.

It is said that Lee also plans to build bigger public housing flats under the Lantau Vision Tomorrow project to improve livelihood and people's way of life.

Since the construction of the 1,000-hectare mega artificial island is estimated to cost up to HK$624 billion, Lee might opt to issue bonds to gather capital.

On his administration strategy, Lee has said he would take a "results-based" approach.

Sources said that would mean no tolerance in postponement of public projects and policies.

"Once a deadline is set, it has to be met," they said.

The sources added that Lee will also be using a multipronged strategy to tackle the city's problems.

Tam Yiu-chung, director of Lee's campaign office, said Lee will announce his election platform in a briefing session today.

Apart from members of the 1,463-strong Election Committee, Tam said representatives from districts across Hong Kong as well as grassroot people will attend today's session.

It is widely known within the political circle that Lee's manifesto will cover ways to tackle the housing shortage, improve the city's governance and boost Hong Kong's competitiveness.

It is understood that Lee is eyeing a reshuffle within the government - an idea proposed by Lam in January - by adding a deputy each to the chief secretary and the financial secretary to step up coordination between bureaus. The reshuffling would see the creation of more deputies to heads of policy bureaus and departments as well as more political assistants, while the number of policy bureaus will be increased to 15, from 13.

Sources also said director of administration Daniel Cheng Chung-wai will take up the post as secretary-general of the chief executive-clect's office.

They said the current administration has already set up the office and will start operation next week to ensure Lee can begin his work once he gets elected on May 8.

The office currently comprises some 20 staff and will be tasked with the transition arrangement between the two administrations.

Cheng has been the head of the chief secretary for administration's office since July 2020.