HONG KONG: The vacant school in Mui Wo is still the most appropriate site for the relocation of the city's only drug rehabilitation school, according to Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang after the Heung Yee Kuk suggested several other sites.

The Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat said in its meeting yesterday that Tang gave a written reply on Monday with regards to the best site for the relocation of Christian Zheng Sheng College.

The Kuk had earlier suggested several alternative locations, including Sai Kung, Tsuen Wan and Sheung Shui for Zheng Sheng College, after a plan to move to the vacant Heung Yee Kuk Southern District Secondary School in Mui Wo met with fierce resistance by local residents.

Lau said Tang's reply stated that the vacant school in Mui Wo is the most suitable site for the college.

"It said the sites (suggested by the Kuk) are less ideal," Lau said. "We have the right to express our opposition. If our reasons are not sufficient, then we will have to accept it."

The Kuk vice-chairman Daniel Lam said a meeting attended by representatives of the Kuk, Mui Wo residents, government officials, District Council, and Zheng Sheng College should be convened to discuss the issue as early as possible.

Lam added that he wanted to clarify whether the Mui Wo school is the only possible site for the re-location.

Lam reiterated that the Kuk realized the need for measures to tackle the problem of youngsters taking drugs, but added that social harmony should not be compromised.

"The government should explain to us why the sites suggested by the Kuk cannot fulfill the requirement of Zheng Sheng," he said.

Lam said a meeting between government officials, Mui Wo residents and District Council representatives earlier had been useful.

Christian Zheng Sheng College principal Chan Siu-cheuk said he is glad that the government still supports the school relocation to Mui Wo.

The school, which needs to be relocated because of the risk caused by slopes and rocks in Chi Ma Wan, was not damaged by Typhoon Molave over the weekend, Chan said.

A government spokesman yesterday said the government accepted Zheng Sheng moving to Mui Wo, but had also been helping the school to consider other locations. The spokesman added the government will listen to different opinions.

Meanwhile, speaking after a forum on development between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region, Tang said Hong Kong will cooperate with mainland authorities to combat cross-border crime, including drug taking.

But he said the Hong Kong government has not asked the Shenzhen authority to extend the detention period for people arrested for drug offences.

Shenzhen Vice Mayor Zhuo Qinrui said he is very concerned with Hong Kong youngsters taking drugs in Shenzhen entertainment premises.

He added that Shenzhen has strengthened its efforts to tackle the drug problem.

(HK Edition 07/22/2009 page1)