Fears eased over election impact on care teams

Michael Shum

Services by the government's community care teams will not be hampered after more than 400 members applied to be taken off duty rosters due to participation in the district council election, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said.

In response to inquiries, she said the number of such applications was less than 10 percent of care team members, leading her to believe services would not be affected.

"Every care team has to show experience in district service and their ability to mobilize manpower, including in other districts, when they apply to be on one of the government's care teams," Mak said.

"The teams' mobilization ability ensures service will not be affected due to some members' temporary inability to perform duties."

Mak also said members, who actively participate in polls and support the district election slated for December 10, deserve support.

"These members are strictly following electoral rules and guidelines and their applying for temporary leave of absence from duty shows they not only proactively serve the community but also strictly follow electoral guidelines," she said.

Her remarks came after the Home Affairs Department said around 460 members, or 9 percent, had their applications approved on the grounds they intended to be candidates or agents of candidates in the upcoming election.

It is understood that 245 are either captains or vice captains of care teams, while there are 18 sub-districts where the captains and vice captains were both on leave.

Central and Western's Chung Wan subdistrict as well as Jardine in Wan Chai each saw six out of its 12 members on leave from duty, the most among 452 subdistricts.

Chung Wan care team captain Qiu Songqing is not standing in the upcoming election, but he is believed to be an agent of a candidate.

Hong Kong Island Federation chairman So Cheung-wing said of Qiu, a federation member: "Given the election's importance, it is understandable for care team members to take leave to avoid a conflict of interest."

Central and Western councilor Jeremy Young Chit-on, who will also be a candidate's agent, said: "This will more or less affect care team services, but it is only around a month, I believe other members will fill the vacuum perfectly."