Office partnership falls apart for two lawmakers

Jane Cheung

Outspoken independent lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon has decided to stop running her two joint offices with the Federation of Trade Unions amid a falling out with its president Stanley Ng Chau-pei.

Election Committee constituency lawmaker Kong's decision came after arguing on social media with Hong Kong Island East lawmaker Ng on whether the government has the right to invalidate 20,000 vaccine waiver certificates by seven doctors accused of issuing false documents.

Kong, a former solicitor, has two joint offices with the city's second biggest pro-Beijing party FTU, including one in Model Housing Estate in North Point that authorities assigned to Kong under a raffle system.

It is understood the FTU and Kong had agreed to share with Ng - who is also an Executive Council member - her office in North Point, where the federation is widely supported by residents.

In return, the FTU shares its member and Kowloon East lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu's office in Tsui Ping Estate in Kwun Tong with Kong.

Last Tuesday, Kong said on Facebook that Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has no legal power to invalidate the 20,000 jab exemption certificates simply based on "reasonable doubt."

On Saturday, Ng slammed "certain lawmakers' attention-seeking "monkey play" also on Facebook.

Although he did not name her in his article, Kong said anyone in their right mind would realize he was referring to her.

Kong had said she reserved the right to sue but softened her tone yesterday and said she would like to "move on" from the dispute."

jane.cheung@singtaonewscorp.com