Government seeks to suspend court ruling

The government said it will apply to the High Court to suspend a ruling that says prisoners should not forfeit the right to vote. Justice Andrew Cheung ruled Monday that a sweeping ban on prisoners' right to vote contravenes the Basic Law.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam said the application would allow by-elections to move forward as planned and give the government time to study how to give prisoners the vote. The next step will depend on whether the Court approves the government application.

Zookeeper bit by panda back at home

An Ocean Park zookeeper bitten by one of the giant pandas in Nov 30 is back at home. An An, the panda who bit the zookeeper, is also in good health and in a normal mood, Ocean Park announced yesterday.

The rare panda attack went public when a visitor posted a video clip of the incident on the Internet earlier this month. The man who recorded the scene said yesterday he saw An An, looking scared and confused, pin the caretaker to the ground for about a minute before running back into its covered area.

Man, 60, sentenced for child molestation

A 60-year-old man was sentenced yesterday to 45 months in prison for child molestation yesterday. In passing sentence, a district court judge said such a serious offence warrants a heavy punishment. The court was told that the man picked up a 12-year-old girl in the street in January and molested her at his home as well as in the drugstore where he worked.

The presiding judge said the long jail term is necessary to deter such offenses, especially considering the fact that the victim was a mentally-challenged minor.

Caution urged for visitors to Greece

Visitors to Greece, particularly Athens, to carefully monitor the situation and avoid protests or large gatherings, Hong Kong's Security Bureau urged yesterday. Violent clashes between protestors and the police broke out earlier this month after thousands of people took to the street in protest against police brutality in the shooting death of a teenager.

Hong Kong residents travelling abroad who need assistance can call the Immigration Department's hotline, (852)1868.

Au King-chi moves to financial services

Former Commissioner for Tourism Au King-chi will become Permanent Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury (Financial Services) Jan 5, succeeding Kevin Ho, who will retire after 36 years of service.

Announcing the appointment yesterday, Secretary for the Civil Service Denise Yue said Au is a seasoned administrative officer with rich experience in public administration and proven leadership and management skills.

China Daily

(HK Edition 12/10/2008 page1)