Violating COVID-19 Protocol, Hong Kong Home Minister Fired By China's State Council

A policeman is on duty under the Chinese and Hong Kong flags in Hong Kong, China (12/12/2021). (Photo: ANTARA/Reuters/Tyrone Siu/as)

JAKARTA - China's State Council dismissed the Minister of Home Affairs for the Hong Kong Administrative Region (HKSAR), Tsui Ying-wai, because he was deemed not to be setting an example for the public in complying with the COVID-19 health protocols.

The decision was taken on February 24 taking into account China's Basic Law for the HKSAR and the advice of HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the State Council of China announced in Beijing, Monday, February 28, 2022, as quoted by Antara.

Tsui submitted his application hours before the HKSAR government announced the results of its investigation into him on January 31.

Tsui was accused of violating the anti-pandemic process for attending the 53rd birthday party of Witman Hung Wai-man, a member of the National People's Congress of China (NPC) from Hong Kong.

Fifteen top Hong Kong officials attended the birthday party, which was held at a restaurant in the Wanchai area on January 3 amid the outbreak of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Knowing this, Carrie reported to the central government in Beijing to follow up on Tsui's disciplinary violations.

Hong Kong is currently struggling to deal with the fifth wave of COVID-19, which is dominated by the Omicron variant.

The surge in cases in this wave has overwhelmed the Hong Kong government so that the central government intervened.