Hong Kong chief executive candidates must all be given a fair chance

Elsie Leung Oi-sie, Basic Law Committee vice-chair and former Hong Kong justice secretary, said there were “too many candidates” and advised them to consider their chances before joining the race. She then went on to praise Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who quit her post as chief secretary to run for the top job, as someone “who works with her heart” and is “willing to listen”. Leung also said she did not know much about rival candidate and ex-finance chief John Tsang Chun-wah, other than his being “familiar with government operations”.

Soon after, outgoing Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying praised Lam as “a responsible and competent official willing to tackle difficult and controversial issues facing Hong Kong society”. These messages clearly indicate that Lam is Beijing’s favoured candidate.

Rival hopeful Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who stepped down as security secretary in 2003 after some 500,000 people protested against her support for the Article 23 National Security Bill, held back tears as she asserted: “No one could say I was unwilling to tackle difficult and controversial issues.”

Though humbled by the massive protest, she lamented at the time that critics of the anti-subversion law did not actually look at it. Last week, Ip admitted that some of those who had indicated a willingness to nominate her had withdrawn their pledge. There is now a risk that she may not even get the 150 nominating votes to enter the race.

I would urge Election Committee members to give a fair chance to every worthy candidate. They should cast their votes independently, based on their own judgment. This is both important and necessary, if the process is to have any credibility.