Hong Kong deserves better candidates for our future Chief Executive
(L-R) Chief Executive candidates John Tsang Chun-wah, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and Woo Kwok-hing at the CE Election candidates debateLet me be clear on one thing: I am not supporting anyone in this chief executive election. None of the three candidates appeal to me, and none of their proposals is going to fix things. Let me explain.
Firstly, there’s former financial secretary, John Tsang Chun-wah. Tsang may be a popular candidate but no amount of PR work can hide the stench in his manifesto.
If elected, Tsang has promised to re-introduce two controversial bills: Article 23, that sparked fears about mainland-style authoritarian rule and erosion of our freedoms; and the failed 2014 political reform package which led to the Umbrella Revolution. This could destroy our core values.
Next, there’s former chief secretary, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. I distrust her the most. Time and time again, Lam has proved that she is far from the ideal person to unify Hong Kong. She has shown that she is seriously out of touch with the public and lacks common sense.
But the biggest issue I have with Lam is this: she was chief secretary for five years, and things have actually got worse in Hong Kong. There is more tension now between the police and the public and between the administration and the legislature. Also, the cost of many infrastructure projects have skyrocketed and the teenage suicide rate has risen alarmingly.
Finally, we have retired judge Woo Kwok-hing. He would safeguard Hong Kong’s rule of law, and its core values such as freedom of speech.
However, Woo’s lack of experience in public office is my main concern. He may not have the expertise to tackle key problems. For example, what can he do to help the elderly, increase the housing supply, and bring down the prices of flats?
Hong Kong deserves a better chief executive than the three we have to choose from. That’s why members of the election committee should either not vote in this election, or cast an invalid ballot, to show that some Hongkongers distrust all three candidates.