The second reading of the copyright amendment bill was suspended in mid-afternoon yesterday for lack of a quorum.

It is the second time a Legislative Council meeting has lapsed after it started the second reading of the controversial amendment bill dubbed ``Internet Article 23.''

The reading resumes on Wednesday.

Suspension came hours after the council voted down a motion to adjourn the debate.

The quorum count request was made by Neo Democrat Gary Fan Kwok-wai, who left the chamber after he asked for the count.

The count is the latest filibustering method adopted by the pro-democracy camp, on top of its usual tactics such as raising questions and proposing hundreds of amendments for a bill.

The tactic succeeded before Christmas, but the pro-democracy camp went a step further yesterday its lawmakers left the chamber.

All pan-democrats were absent from the chamber, making it short of two to make the quorum.

Thirty-three lawmakers were present, including 10 from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, six from the Federation of Trade Unions, five from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, three from the Liberal Party and other independents.

Some pro-establishment lawmakers including Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Michael Tien Puk-sun of the New People's Party, medical sector lawmaker Leung Ka-lau and the industrial sector's Lam Tai-fai were also absent from the meeting.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So Kam-leung said he found the ``organized'' attempt regrettable.

So said it is preferable for lawmakers with different opinions to air their views in the chamber rather than make the meeting fail.

``We encouraged lawmakers to return to the chamber, and pan-democrats told me `don't waste your time.' Are they wasting my time or that of the public?'' he argued.

Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing said: ``No matter whose party they are from, the lawmakers should know the public does not accept meetings to repeatedly lapse due to lack of quorum.''

People Power's Raymond Chan Chi- chuen refused to take the blame, saying there are more than enough pro-establishment lawmakers to ensure a quorum if they all show up.

There are 27 pro-democracy lawmakers versus 42 pro-establishment, including the Legco president.

A quorum of 35 is needed for the meeting to proceed.

Earlier, lawmakers rejected Cyd Ho Sau- lan's motion to adjourn the meeting.

The Hong Kong Copyright Alliance issued a statement saying it is ``outraged'' about the suspension of the meeting.

``Any delay of the enactment of the bill will further threaten the survival of the local creative and entertainment industries,'' a spokesman said.