On Wednesday's Backchat, we're talking about "mercy" release, an outlawed ritual which consists in releasing captive animals into the wild in the hopes of getting good fortune.

The practice has long been decried by conservationists as a threat to animal welfare and ecological balance, with those found guilty liable to a maximum three year prison sentence and a HK$200,000 fine. Is "mercy release" still rife? We'll find out.


At 9:30, we talk about authorities' plan to open three new community living rooms by the summer. Is this a right step towards poverty alleviation?


And after 9:45, we get a Singaporean scholar and former Member of Parliament's analysis on the cabinet of Lawrence Wong, who is to be sworn-in as the country's fourth Prime Minister.


9:05am-9:30am: "Mercy" release of animals


9:05am-9:30am: Victor Wong, Committee Member of the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation 
9:05am-9:30am: Prof. Anthony Lau, Assistant Professor in population ecology, Science Unit, Lingnan University


9:30am-9:45am: Community living rooms

9:30am-9:45am:  Sze Lai Shan, Deputy Director, The Society for Community Organisation (SoCo)


9:45am-10:00am: Singapore's new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

9:45am-10:00am: Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and a former Nominated Member of Parliament