Thirty outgoing Hong Kong Legislative Council members awarded about HK$9.4 million in bonuses to 157 aides before the end of their terms, according to recent disclosures. Former Election Committee lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok reportedly granted HK$700,000 in total to five staff members, including Yuen Long District Councillor Sze Chun-hing, who received HK$264,000, equivalent to six months of his salary.
Sze is currently facing one charge of indecent assault and one charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16, with the case still under trial. The bonus payments have drawn further scrutiny amid the ongoing proceedings. Legislative Council office staff salaries are not paid directly by the government but through the annual Office Operation Expenses Reimbursement, which totals roughly HK$3.02 million per member and covers salaries, provident funds, contract-end gratuities, and office costs.
Ma said the bonuses were calculated based on years of service and intended to compensate some staff who had accepted lower pay than their qualifications warranted. Critics questioned why salaries were not adjusted during the term rather than issuing large one-off payments upon departure. Former LegCo member Michael Tien commented on a radio program that using public funds for discretionary bonuses was unusual and suggested such rewards should come from lawmakers’ own pockets.
