Police are investigating a murder and attempted suicide case in Tseung Kwan O last night (February 23) in which a 23-year-old man died.

     At about 10.30pm, Police received a report from a 65-year-old male security officer that a woman wandered on ground floor of Shin Lai House, Shin Ming Estate.

     Police sped to the scene and located the 55-year-old woman. She was sent to Tseung Kwan O Hospital in semi-conscious state.

     Police also located her 23-year-old son lying unconsciously inside a unit afterwards. Sustaining injuries to his neck, he was certified dead at scene.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the man was believed to have consumed food mixed with suspected drug and an electric wire was tied around his neck, while his mother attempted to commit suicide by consuming some suspected poison and hanging herself with an electric wire. She was arrested for murder, and is being detained for enquiries.

     Some pills, suspected poison and two electric wires in suspected connection with the case were found inside the unit.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

     Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Tseung Kwan O District is underway.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after attending a public function today (February 24):

Reporter: Do you have any concern about the Central-Wan Chai Bypass opening?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: As far as we have observed this morning, because of the various preparatory works our colleagues have done, in terms of signage, in terms of electronic signals, and also consultation with transport trade, it is apparent this morning that the flow is rather smooth. Of course, on Monday morning, when everybody is rushing to work, we hope the drivers would take extra caution and care because signage, customisations, and various things would be new to them when they first use the Bypass. With due collaboration and observation to road safety, I hope everything would be fine tomorrow.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (February 24) will lead a delegation to Shenzhen to attend the second Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Hygiene and Health Cooperation Conference to be held tomorrow (February 25) to continue to promote close ties with the Mainland and Macao health authorities.
 
     The conference is co-organised by the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, the Food and Health Bureau, and the Health Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. The conference aims at promoting experience exchange and sharing as well as strengthening co-operation among the three places on matters relating to hygiene and health in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     At the opening ceremony tomorrow, Professor Chan will deliver a speech and sign the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Health Cooperation Consensus with a view to maintaining the co-operation among the three places in the development of quality healthcare services, emergency response in relation to public health issues, the development and innovation of Chinese medicine and the training of healthcare professionals. Later, Professor Chan and senior health executives of Guangdong Province and Macao will jointly host a roundtable meeting.
 
     Members of the Hong Kong delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Leung Pak-yin.
 
     Professor Chan will return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening. The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, will be the Acting Secretary for Food and Health during Professor Chan's absence.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (February 26) to consider three applications for renewal and amendment of liquor licences on Hong Kong Island.

     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Mama Malouf in Kennedy Town
Graffiti in Central
Ciacoe in Wan Chai
 
     The board will also consider revoking the liquor licences of LA VIN WINES ET PETITE CUCINA in Central and THAI FARM RESTAURANT in Kowloon City.
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (February 24).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.