Unprecedented MTR-Free Day

The MTR map devoid of stations available so it was nicknamed the "Empty-R"

Late last night we went to bed with the news that the MTR would not be working in the morning.

Then we woke up this morning learning the MTR would be shut all day.

And shopping malls. And banks. And ParknShop, Watson's and Fortress (Li Ka-shing's retail arm).

Seems that either everyone was terrified of what would happen to their shops, or they were complying to the government's spin that Hong Kong is in fear of the rioting protesters and which led Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor to say, "Half the city is paralyzed."

Carrie Lam justifies the government's actions in a video

She made this remark during a five-minute video message that was suddenly broadcast on all the local channels. I know this because I was having dim sum with my relatives in Kowloon and the walls had various flat screens with different channels on them.

Looking grim-faced and her team standing blankly behind her, Lam said: "The extreme acts of rioters caused Hong Kong to experience a very dark night yesterday," adding people were worried and living in fear.

"The government will curb violence with utmost determination," she said. "Let's condemn violence together and resolutely disassociate with rioters."

But while she was saying this, hundreds of people gathered in Causeway Bay and defied the anti-mask ban and began marching illegally to Chater Garden in Central. The peaceful march was disbanded at the end point. However those who lingered were terrorized by a group of anti-riot police -- who were fully masked.

As she spoke, people marched from Causeway Bay to Central

Lam added: "The extreme violence clearly illustrated that Hong Kong's public safety is widely endangered. That's the concrete reason that we had to invoke emergency law yesterday to introduce the anti-mask law."

Really? It's the other way around -- the anti-mask law incensed people even more and vented their anger on the streets.

And anyway where were the police when the protesters were already out on the streets last night? Why did they let them destroy so much before stepping in?

Today was a strange day with the entire MTR network unavailable that most people are dependent on.

Last night's mayhem was caused by the anti-mask law

I just checked the MTR website at 11.38pm and there is still no word if the MTR will reopen tomorrow.

Meanwhile shoppers kept vendors in the wet markets busy today, snapping up vegetables, fruits and meats. Then there was word the supermarket chain Wellcome and 7-Elevens across the city would close at 5pm. Again there was another rush to stock up. Some bought essentials like cartons of milk, others chips, and in the case of a gweilo, cans of Tsingtao beer.

The government has created this unnecessary panic, but perhaps it's all part of a big scheme to justify  clamping down on the protesters by trying to blame them for shutting down the MTR and other essential services. There were hints that Lam will exercise greater powers if necessary, which could even include restricting communications and even curfews. Perhaps it's part of China's big plan on subduing Hong Kong once and for all.

ParknShops around Hong Kong were shut todayHong

But the way things are going, Hongkongers are putting up a fight and seeing through Lam's intentions that are hardly empathetic. Why would she call for dialogue and yet allow police officers to beat people up or fire live rounds at them? It's absolutely insane.

She wants to show the world how unruly the protesters are, but she is actually demonstrating how weak she is. If she had swallowed her pride back in June and withdrawn the extradition bill then, we would not be falling into this abyss she has created...