Neutering the opposition in Hong Kong Legislative Council won’t improve governance, as Carrie Lam will find out
- With its resolution to oust four pro-democracy legislators, the NPC shows Beijing will no longer tolerate any form of opposition, mild or radical
- Decision leaves Legco dominated by the pro-establishment camp, which Lam needs to remember answers to the Communist Party, not her
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Clearly, now is the time for the radical democrats and localists to make a political choice. Clearly, the Communist Party will no longer tolerate any form of opposition within the Legco, mild or radical. Given that the Legco has essentially lost its function, the radicals ought to consider whether they should run in the upcoming elections.
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The livelihood of residents in various neighbourhoods should be their first priority. They should dedicate themselves to doing as much as they can for Hong Kong people before the government imposes other forms of oppression.
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It’s as clear as day that Legco is being taken over by the pro-establishment camp. This is not unlike the colonial era, when lawmakers in the British-led Legco were either appointed or indirectly elected.
If the Hong Kong government still cares about the Hong Kong people, at the very least, it should learn from the British and pick capable and sensible pro-establishment candidates to monitor the administration and offer practical policy suggestions.
Unfortunately, most of the current pro-establishment members of Legco serve neither Hong Kong people nor the Hong Kong government; they are loyal only to Beijing. Besides, they have contributed to the deep divide in Hong Kong society. It is very naive of the chief executive to think she can restore governance after getting rid of the democrats. She needs to bear in mind that the pro-establishment camp answers to the Communist Party, not her.
Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator