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Following are remarks made by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr. Michael Suen, to reporters after his car was being stranded and surrounded by representatives of a pressure group outside the public forum venue for more than two hours:-
Reporter: Could you please say a few words in English?
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands: I think the behaviour of some members of this group is totally unacceptable. I think you understand that I started by coming to this meeting which is organized by the Housing Authority. My intention is to hear all different views expressed by members of the public and tenants of public housing estates. Towards this end, we have specially invited this particular group to join us at this meeting. But instead of coming to the meeting to present us with their views, they have chosen to prevent us from getting into the venue. I think that is totally unacceptable.
Reporter: Will you come again next time?
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands: As I have said, I have intended to lead this first forum, to kick it off. I haven’t contemplated the possibility of attending all because my own time is very limited. In the light of all this, I think I have to re-consider the whole idea.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, March 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 21:42
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