Canto-pop king Leon Lai shows Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying how to handle a crisis
Albert Cheng says Hong Kong people who despair of the chief executive’s public relations bungles – most recently over his daughter’s left luggage – have found a public figure to praise for getting it right
Singer Leon Lai Ming has recently become an accidental hero, thanks mostly to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s unpopularity.
Forty-nine-year-old Lai is known as one of the four “heavenly kings” of Canto-pop. A Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, he is also recognised for his contributions to children’s welfare.
Will show go on? Anxious fans await 4pm update from Canto-pop king Leon Lai
Lai was due to perform six concerts at the Central Harbourfront from April 28 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his stellar career. However, the first performance was cancelled after the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department refused to grant a temporary permit because the supposedly fireproof material used for a marquee to house 4,500 fans failed to meet fire safety standards.
The way Lai handled the cancellation has been widely applauded by the press, academics, commentators and fans. His crisis management skills contrasted sharply with the way the chief executive and his team have dealt with the airport luggage saga caused by his absent-minded daughter.
I never made anyone cry: Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying issues fresh rebuttal in Hong Kong airport bag saga
Despite his big public relations machine, Leung has been haunted by the incident for nearly a month. Accusations have included abuse of power and bypassing airport security rules to get airport staff to take his daughter’s left luggage into the restricted zone. Leung has denied any wrongdoing or even oversight. The Security Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority and Cathy Pacific have all been drawn into the vortex to defend Leung and his family. Officials have published reports and attended meetings with legislators. Yet, the issue refuses to go away.
