Former Hong Kong district councillor arrested over MPF law breach, accused of illegally promoting scheme linked to pension fund
- Chu Kong-wai, who was an ex-councillor in Yau Tsim Mong district before he was unseated in September 2021, detained by officers on Tuesday morning
- Chu will be escorted by police to three locations to gather evidence
Hong Kong police have arrested former district councillor Chu Kong-wai on suspicion of violating laws governing the city’s Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) pension scheme, the Post has learned.
The former Yau Tsim Mong district council member was detained by officers on Tuesday morning, according to a source familiar with the case.
The insider said Chu was accused of breaching the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance by promoting retirement plans without proper registration.
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The offence is punishable by up to seven years in jail and a HK$5 million (US$640,000) fine.
According to police, officers from the Sham Shui Po criminal investigation unit launched an inquiry after receiving a complaint accusing a person of promoting pension plans on social media and during other events without a valid MPF intermediary licence.
After gathering evidence, police arrested Chu, 46, in Sha Tin on Tuesday, according to the source.
“Officers armed with a court warrant carried out searches at the suspect’s residence and office premises, and seized relevant documents and electronic communication devices,” police said in a press release
At around 12.30pm, plain-clothes officers escorted Chu to an office in Manulife Place on Kwun Tong Road to gather evidence. Police also took him to two other locations in Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui to gather evidence.
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As of Tuesday afternoon, he was still in custody, and the force said the investigation was ongoing with further arrests possible.
According to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, anyone who engages in related sales or marketing activities is required to first register with the authority as an intermediary, and it is a criminal offence to carry out regulated activities without first doing so.
The authority said it was providing full support to police in its investigation
Before being elected as a district councillor in 2019, Chu worked in community organisations and labour unions for several years and had also served as a research assistant at a university.
He was stripped of his seat in September 2021, alongside many other opposition district councillors, after the government ruled he failed to pledge his loyalty to the administration.
In March this year, Chu was denied entry into Macau, with police there citing “strong signs” he had attempted to endanger public safety and order in the casino hub.
