Birthday Party Political Fallout

170 people from the party now have to undergo quarantine

The 170 guests who attended Witman Hung Wai-man' s 53rd birthday party in a Spanish restaurant in Wan Chai are all considered close contacts and must undergo up to 21 days in quarantine at Penny's Bay after a second preliminary positive case was identified.

This celebration has now evolved into a public health scandal with political fallout too.

Immigration chief Au must go to Penny's Bay

Not only was Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai there, but also Director of Immigration Au Ka-wang, police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee, ICAC commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu, and lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu -- known for his combative and at times misogynist comments.

Needless to say many Hongkongers were giddy with glee to see these top officials sent to Penny's Bay, a bare bones quarantine centre on Lantau that has barely any wifi, lukewarm food and no air conditioning or heating.

One person on Twitter sarcastically remarked that the after party was now at Penny's Bay.

On Friday, immigration chief Au issued an apology over his conduct.

"Regarding the additional burden to the epidemic prevention work and the disturbance to the public as a result of my personal behaviour, I offer my sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong. I have reflected on this incident and shall be more vigilant in the future," he said.

But the fallout is not over.

The 13 officials who will be sent to quarantine have been temporarily relieved of their duties because they will be investigated, and that their subordinates will take over. 

Police chief Siu also attended Hung's party

This means the deputies from police, the ICAC, and Immigration departments will be acting chiefs, while Secretary of the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen will take on the additional role of Home Affairs, and Secretary for Commerce Edward Yau Tang-wah will also head the finance and treasury department.

It seems Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is using this opportunity to assert her power and possibly kick out the incumbent ministers, even though they were handpicked by Beijing. One wonders if this is another sign of Lam gunning for a second term...