Legislator-cum-businessman Chan Meng Kam yesterday slammed the government for spending “a large amount of money” on paying rent for offices while leaving many of its own properties vacant.
Chan, a key leader of the local Fujianese community, made the remarks in a written interpellation submitted to the government. Chan sent copies of the interpellation to the media yesterday.
Finance Services Bureau (DSF) Director Iong Kong Leong said last month in a reply to another written interpellation by Chan that at the end of last year 464 rental contracts were in effect between government bodies and private property owners. Pointing out that the government paid around 720 million patacas to property owners in rent last year, Iong said that the public entities’ bargaining power was weak when renewing rental contracts.
This photo taken yesterday shows the vacant 2nd floor of the former cooked food centre at Iao Hon Market. Photo: Davis Ip
Please read the full article in our print edition.
