Hong Kong’s former finance chief John Tsang takes aim at politicians for ‘ruining city’s rules and systems’

Former financial secretary speaking at forum organised by pro-democracy Project Citizens Foundation

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John Tsang says some politicians act like they are in preschool. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 5:59pm, 9 Jun 2018Updated: 11:08pm, 9 Jun 2018

Hong Kong’s former financial chief John Tsang Chun-wah on Saturday took a dig at politicians of all stripes – including the pro-democracy camp which supported him in last year’s chief executive race – accusing them of causing “deep and irreparable injury” to the city’s systems.

He was particularly critical about the goings-on in the Legislative Council, saying that for some politicians, Hong Kong’s rules and systems had turned into “political tools for attacking rivals”.

Tsang, who lost to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in the leadership election, did not give specific examples but alluded to legislators such as the pro-establishment camp’s Junius Ho Kwan-yiu who recorded a Facebook Live video when opposition lawmakers were criticising government bills.

Lawmaker Junius Ho (right) records the goings-on in Legco. Photo: Edward Wong

“There was no Facebook Live or the making of funny faces [in the past], like you were in preschool. I’m lucky that I don’t have to work with the legislature any more,” he said.

“Our legislature, where the gentlemen’s game had taken place for many years, has turned into a place without rules … and where rationality has no place to live.”