Hong Kong librarian suspended after books by jailed Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai put on recommended reading shelf
- Government employee at Shek Tong Tsui Public Library in Sai Wan responsible for or displaying at least 10 titles written by media tycoon
- Investigation launched after complaint from member of pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong
A Hong Kong public library employee has been suspended after being held responsible for displaying books by jailed Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying as “the librarian’s choice” last week.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department launched a “rigorous and thorough investigation”, after Yeung Hok-ming, a member of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), posted pictures on social media of at least 10 books written by Lai on a rack of recommended reading at the Shek Tong Tsui Public Library in Sai Wan.
The Thursday incident occurred as the 26-year-old tabloid-style newspaper published its final edition after authorities arrested five of its top executives and froze HK$18 million in assets.
After an investigation, the department said in a statement it had decided to suspend an unnamed employee.
Yeung Hok-ming, chairman of the DAB’s Central and Western branch, welcomed the prompt action but said the department should provide an explanation to the public.
“I would be surprised if the whole saga involved only a new frontline staff member,” Yeung said. “The bookshelf faces the lending services counter and other employees should have stopped him or her if they saw Lai’s books being put on the rack. But no one seemed to have done anything until after someone complained.