Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung has been admitted to hospital after suffering from intestinal discomfort.
Yuen’s press secretary confirmed on Thursday that the 51-year-old minister had been advised to stay in hospital for several days to rest. However, he stressed that Yuen would not be undergoing any operation and that his illness is not serious.
It was not disclosed which hospital Yuen had been admitted to, but he is expected to return home within the week, Apple Daily reported.
Civic Party lawmakers Claudia Mo Man-ching and Kwok Ka-ki sent official invitations asking Yuen to be present at the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways meeting on Friday. The Transport and Housing Bureau replied to the Legislative Council on Wednesday explaining that Yuen was sick and could not attend.
However, Yuen will be present at the legislature’s general assembly next Wednesday to answer lawmakers’ questions on immigration and customs facilities for both the mainland and Hong Kong authorities at the West Kowloon high speed rail terminus.
Yuen’s absence had been noted at several recent public events, such as the flag raising ceremony and cocktail reception to celebrate China’s National Day on October 1.
Yuen also missed a joint media event on Tuesday, although a Department of Justice spokesperson did not reveal the reason for his illness at the time.
