Tributes pour in for legendary Hong Kong activist and campaigner Elsie Tu, who died aged 102
Praise pours in from across the political spectrum for English-born lawmaker, social activist and anti-corruption campaigner, who died yesterday aged 102. During her 64 years in Hong Kong, Tu became a legend, admired by political allies and foes alike for her tireless support of the underprivileged
Former lawmaker, social activist and anti-corruption campaigner Elsie Tu died yesterday, prompting a flood of tributes from top government officials, community leaders and legislators across the political spectrum for a true Hong Kong legend.
The woman dubbed the “real spirit of Hong Kong” for tirelessly championing the rights of the downtrodden and underprivileged, breathed her last at United Christian Hospital yesterday at the age of 102. She had been admitted on Monday night suffering from pneumonia-related complications.
Tu, who came to Hong Kong on missionary work in 1951 and founded Mu Kuang English School in Kwun Tong three years later, took the plunge into politics in 1963 when she won a seat in the now-defunct Urban Council.
She began in Hong Kong with a pro-democracy outlook, but turned against colonialism and was later seen as a pro-Beijing figure because of her political views.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying led the tributes yesterday, expressing profound sadness over her death and hailing her “tremendous contributions” to the city.
ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu praised her anti-corruption campaign as pioneering work that paved the way for the colonial government to set up the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 1974.
Former chief secretary David Akers-Jones, who had known Tu for more than three decades, recalled how, in the 1970s, she was able to speak directly to then-governor Murray MacLehose about rampant corruption in the city.
