A lesson for Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching: double standards and hypocrisy don’t win respect
Holden Chow says the pan-democrats are equally to blame for the chaos in Legco over the oath-taking fiasco, and the NPC’s interpretation was a justified and timely move towards a speedy solution
What disgraceful behaviour from Sixtus Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching in their oath-taking, with the use of derogatory words insulting the Chinese people. People have been seriously offended by the two legislators-elect, who appear to have failed to take their oaths in accordance with the law.
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Given the unprecedented, drastic and exceptional circumstances, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee stepped in to interpret Article 104 of the Basic Law, asserting the mandatory requirement of pledging allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China and upholding the Basic Law.
Li Fei (third left), the deputy secretary-general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and director of its Hong Kong Basic Law Committee, leads a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 7, after the ruling on Article 104. Photo: EPA
As a member of the legal profession, I can understand why some fellow legal practitioners are reluctant to embrace such a decision. However, I equally believe that the central government has made a tough decision this time to settle the oath-taking dispute in an expedient way, thus ensuring the Legislative Council chamber can resume normal operations.
Hundreds of lawyers stage a silent march to the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong on November 8, in protest against the NPC Standing Committee ruling on the Basic Law the previous day. Photo: Reuters
Thanks to the pan-democrats, who wrongfully helped to aid Yau and Leung, three Legco meetings in a row were brought to a halt. At the November 2 meeting, pan-democrats helped the Youngspiration pair resist security guards, and unfortunately a few guards were injured. If Yau and Leung are to be blamed for the saga, pan-democrats are equally responsible for the chaotic situation in Legco.
Since the NPC delivered its interpretation, the Legco chamber has, at least in some ways, been able to resume functioning. Had there been no decision, we would still have been stuck in a deadlock.
