Hong Kong’s finance chief should spend within the city’s means given the expected whopping deficit, a rural leader has said after drawing a fortune stick that advised residents against greed as part of a Lunar New Year ritual.
Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, chairman of powerful rural body the Heung Yee Kuk, drew a “neutral” stick at Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin on the second day of the Year of the Snake on Thursday and gave his interpretation of the prophecy.
He called on authorities to spend within their means given the higher-than-expected deficit for the current financial year and urged them not to raise taxes.
The No 24 stick said: “Do not do anything wrong during your life or cause trouble because of your greed, unless you have a noble person helping you, you should not waste your efforts.”
Interpreting the message, Lau said: “This fortune means that everyone should do good things and everyone should do what is right.
“As long as you are not greedy, it will be OK. Things that are done should also be practical.”
