Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak has given Tuen Mun District Council (DC) member Kenneth Yip written notification that, in light of his dangerous driving conviction which constituted misconduct, his functions and duties as a DC member shall be suspended from tomorrow to next Tuesday.

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau made the announcement today, noting that the home affairs chief earlier appointed a committee pursuant to the District Councils Ordinance to investigate the alleged misconduct of Mr Yip.

After considering the evidence related to the misconduct, the negative impact of the incident on DC members, DCs and the Government's reputation and credibility as well as Mr Yip's written representation, the committee concluded that his dangerous driving conviction constituted misconduct and recommended suspending his functions and duties as a DC member for one week.

Pursuant to the relevant section of the ordinance and the performance monitoring guidelines for district council members, and after considering the committee’s report, the home affairs chief made the decision to suspend Mr Yip’s functions and duties as a DC member.

For the period of suspension, he shall not be entitled to any remuneration or allowances including end-of-service gratuity, but shall be entitled to the reimbursement for the operating expenses incurred during the period, such as office rentals and staff salaries.

Miss Mak said: "This is the first time the Government has investigated and imposed sanctions on a DC member for misconduct in accordance with the performance monitoring mechanism for DC members under the improved district governance."

DC members should conduct themselves in line with public expectations and commensurate with the reputation of the District Council and its members, she added, emphasising that the Government will monitor their performance to ensure every one of them upholds their duties to serve the people.