Outcry over sale of Anita Mui items

Hong Kong - Friends of the late Cantopop queen Anita Mui are protesting against a sale of her awards and other personal items, saying the low estimates of HK$500 (S$80) to HK$1,500 are disrespectful. More than 1,000 objects, such as her friend Andy Lau's ink inscription of the Heart Sutra, a football signed by her hero David Beckham, her Louis Vuitton bags and branded clothes, are included in the sale held by auctioneer Paidegao today.

The items were housed in her home in Shouson Hill, Deep Water Bay, which was sold by her estate administrator HSBC International Trust last month for HK$147 million. Apple Daily said the trust was auctioning the objects to clear the house.

"This is so disrespectful towards Ah Mui and so sad," said film producer Tiffany Chen, a sworn sister of the singer, on Thursday. "If I had known Ah Mui's possessions would be sold so cheaply at an auction, I would have opposed it."

Chen and singer Josie Ho were among the friends who called for an Anita Mui museum to be set up, said Apple Daily. Singer Gigi Leung said: "Ah Mui was an exemplar of Hong Kong entertainment's heyday. It is so strange that her possessions are being auctioned and dispersed." She said she was sure friends and fans in possession of the late singer's personal items would be happy to donate them to a museum, if one is set up.

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