|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Hong Kong’s leader has said the government will suspend debate on its unpopular extradition bill.
City leader Carrie Lam was previously urged to halt discussions on the unpopular legislation which sparked unprecedented mass protests this week.
Ms Lam said in a press conference that she took the decision in response to widespread public unhappiness over the measure, which would enable authorities to send some suspects to stand trial in mainland China.
‘The government has decided to suspend the legislative amendment exercise,’ chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters.
‘The council will halt its work in relation to the bill until our working communication explanation and listening to opinions is completed,’ she said. ‘We have no intention to set a deadline for this work.’
She said the extradition law was needed to plug loopholes and stop the international finance hub being a haven for criminals but admitted her administration had underestimated the public backlash.
‘I feel deep sorrow and regret that the deficiencies in our work and various other factors have stirred up substantial controversies and disputes in society following the relatively calm periods of the past two years,’ she said.
[…]
