Lam said today she would not run again for chief executive

After five years, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has thrown in the towel. Today she announced she would not seek a second term, and will retire.

"I will not run in the sixth chief executive elections," Lam said. "In other words, I will complete my five-year chief executive term on June 30, and will officially end my 42-year career in government."

Twitter went nuts as soon as she made this statement, ending years of speculation if she would or wouldn't try to extend her term. In the end she cited family reasons for stepping down.

Lam victorious on election day in 2017

"They all thought it was time for me to come home," she said.

What is Lam going to do? She is a self-professed workaholic who is known for micromanaging. Maybe she'll spend the next few months counting all the cash she had stashed around Government House but after that, then what? Knitting? Gardening? Hard to imagine her being a homebody.

But it is a relief to know she will not be continuing as Chief Executive, but at the same time, the next leader will be just as hamstrung by Beijing.

Her time as chief executive has definitely left Hong Kong worse off than how it was five years ago. Most memorably was her proposal of the extradition bill in 2019 which led to millions of people protesting in the streets.

She did not heed her own election promise to step down if she did not have the support of the people. Instead the police were unleashed in a bid to quell the protests which resulted in many residents' hatred of the authorities which led to some violent clashes and the horrific attacks at the Yuen Long MTR station on July 21, 2019, and also in Prince Edward MTR station on August 31 that year.

Extradition bill sparked millions into the streets

None of these incidents were ever fully investigated or the police held accountable for their actions.

A year later Lam brought in the national security law, and that sparked another upheaval. Over 10,000 people were arrested, including lawmakers, activists, and students. Then Apple Daily was shut down, with owner Jimmy Lai Chee-ying arrested, and other pro-democracy media or outlets critical of the government closed down out of fear.

Civil society groups and unions also shuttered, either because of threats from the national security bureau or not wanting to have trouble.

Events like the candlelight vigil on June 4 that were commemorated for 30 years were suddenly considered illegal, and even the statue that memorialised it was taken down in pieces and taken away. Any slogans related to it were literally whitewashed.

And then the coronavirus pandemic erupted in Wuhan in January 2020 and soon made its way to Hong Kong.

Police seemed to collude with men in white shirts

At first Lam's administration was praised for managing to keep the virus out of the city, but two years in, fatigue started to set in, people tired of the social-distancing restrictions that seemed more political than scientific. How come playgrounds, sports grounds and beaches are shut when people should really be exercising outdoors and improving their mental health?

Even though Lam said she told Beijing she would not seek re-election, this fifth wave has done her in, being several steps behind Omicron and not being more insistent on vaccinating the elderly, which led to some 200 deaths a day, and over 50,000 cases for a few days.

Today there are 3,138 cases and less than 100 deaths, but not without the government continuing to insist mass testing will be held at some point, anti-epidemic kits being distributed, and such strict social-distancing measures that many sectors like restaurants, gyms, salons, and entertainment venues are in the verge of closing or have already shut, unable to financially sustain themselves.

And not to mention eliminating all opposition from the Legislative Council so that Hong Kong is governed by patriots.

Lam was caught flatfooted in fifth wave

Lam has completely and irrevocably changed the city for the worse -- even the pro-Beijing camp would agree. The next leader, while having an easy ride in Legco, will have a formidable task of reigniting Hong Kong's economy, though it will never be what it was like before 2019.

The sixth CE will have to drag the city closer to the mainland through the Greater Bay Area, but are Hongkongers ready for this? Is there even a game plan?

In the meantime Hongkongers cannot wait to see Lam finish her term in a few months. Where she will reside during her retirement is now up for speculation. Can she even stay in Hong Kong afterwards? Maybe she should pick up knitting and gardening after all...

Suspending Mass Testing Gets Lam Praise and Condemnation

Yesterday Lam announced mass testing to be suspended

After Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced Hong Kong would put mass universal testing on hold indefinitely, mainlanders complained that the former British colony was "lying flat", a slang term meaning doing nothing.

However, Dr Liang Wannian, head of the National Health Commission's Covid Response Expert Team who had visited Hong Kong recently, came to Lam's defence today. He said postponing mass testing was based on a scientifically-based decision.

Liang said Hong Kong was not "lying flat"

He said the strategy of "three reductions" in minimising infections, severe cases and deaths, "three focuses" in identifying key groups, organisations and districts, and "one priority" in treating the elderly had yielded positive results.

"Therefore it cannot be said that epidemic control is relaxed without doing universal testing," Liang said. "Hong Kong is actually expanding its testing capacity... and allowing citizens to use rapid antigen tests at home so infections can be detected earlier and managed. I think the combination of these measures is of great significance to Hong Kong's epidemic prevention and control."

Despite the heavyweight endorsement from medical expert Liang, Hong Kong's leader is getting a salvo across the bow from pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, who is considering putting forward a non-confidence vote against her for flip-flopping on universal testing.

If his motion is tabled, it will be the first one initiated by a pro-Beijing legislator since the handover in 1997, in other words in almost 25 years.

But so far, none of his colleagues are publicly supporting his proposal, with one lawmaker calling it a "political stunt".

Isolation facilities are not 100 percent capacity

Isn't that what Ho is about? 

In any event, he blasted Lam for suspending the universal testing drive, saying preparation, including new quarantine facilities and laboratories supported by mainland Chinese authorities, had gone down the drain.

"We trust the [Hong Kong] government because we wholeheartedly trust the central government. But now you've told us things won't be carried out according to what you said... Tell us then, should we listen to you or not?" Ho said at a press conference today in support of small and medium enterprises struggling with the city's Covid-19 measures.

"There's only a spokesman for the government called the chief executive who seems to have a lot of spare time coming out everyday and talking hogwash as golden scripture... I feel disgusted seeing her face," he said, referring to her daily press briefings now in her second week.

Also he himself has experienced first hand what it's like to be in a quarantine camp in early February, but he is keen on making sure others have to go through what he did...

Ho when he was in his quarantine facilities

Ho accused the chief executive of a lack of overall planning, foresight, resolution and determination in the face of the fifth wave, which has claimed more than 6,000 lives. He urged residents to "hold Lam accountable" and push her to spell out a clear policy direction.

Interesting that he is taking this tack, though he and other pro-establishment lawmakers like Dominic Lee Tsz-king, Chan Hoi-yan and Michael Tian Puk-sun voiced their disappointment at the suspension of universal testing.

With Ho stirring the pot, he is creating yet another headache for Lam, but this is what happens when there is no more loyal opposition in the Legislative Council -- infighting within the pro-Beijing camp was bound to erupt eventually.

This is not the side show Lam needs right now, but for the rest of us desperate for any kind of entertainment since all cinemas, performing arts venues, and concerts are closed, we're socially distanced and watching this political diversion unfold with popcorn in hand.

More Opposition Silenced Today

Koo had planned to protest in front of the Liaison Office today

Just after 6am this morning, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the police came to the home of activist Koo Sze-yiu and arrested him for allegedly inciting subversion.

The authorities took the 75 year-old, who also has stage 4 cancer, and four others were detained to assist in the investigation, including Democratic Party member Virginia Fung King-man.

He was arrested for allegedly inciting subversion

Koo had informed the media that he would go to the Liaison Office in Western district to protest against China hosting the Winter Olympics which officially kicks off today. He also wanted to call attention to the political activists behind bars, that they weren't able to meet with their families during Chinese New Year, the most important family festival in the calendar.

In his letter Koo also wrote that the national security law was being "abused" and that many had been "wrongfully detained".

Chan Po-ying, chair of the League of Social Democrats, said that "if simply protesting at the China Liaison Office can be charged with incitement, it is quite terrifying."

Meanwhile another activist was finally sentenced today -- Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung -- a name we haven't heard from in ages as he has been detained in prison since he was arrested on November 1, 2020.

On May 8, 2020, a melee broke out in the Legislative Council when Starry Lee Wai-king, DAB lawmaker and incumbent chair of the House Committee, took control of a meeting (with security guards surrounding her), and Cheung and six other Democratic lawmakers tried to stop her.

Cheung was sentenced to three weeks in jail

For that Cheung pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court today to a contempt charge under Legislative Council (Powers and Privilege) Ordinance, that was initially designed to immunise members from criminal sanctions while exercising their freedom of speech and debate.

Acting chief magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen rejected Cheung's plea for a fine or suspended sentence, saying the former lawmaker's actions had tarnished Legco's reputation and contributed to "a decline of civility" and sentenced him to three months in prison.

Cheung, who will turn 65 later this month, said he would only admit the charge, but not wrongdoing, as he maintained his prosecution was driven by political motives.

"For me, Legco is an important structure that facilitates improvements in society. I will never hold Legco in contempt," he said, as he read out a statement in the dock.

"We [opposition lawmakers] respect the 'one country, two systems' principle and strictly abide by the Basic Law, but very unfortunately, the majority of my colleagues who had insisted on our peaceful ways are already in jail."

He added: "In the end, who was the one who broke the rules, flouted the law and even suppressed the opposition with the regime that is the judiciary?"

On May 8, 2020 Cheung was carried out of Legco

Applause broke out in the gallery after Cheung's speech, but they were silenced by warnings from the magistrate and court security officers.

It is only in court can the media and public see former lawmakers and activists who are jailed or remanded in custody. And now prisons are suspending visits from family and friends for at least a week because of Omicron. 

Not only does that mean no more visits, but also no chances of receiving items from the outside world, including books, letters, notebooks and pens. 

Tsang Angry at WSJ's Editorial -- Again

Tsang complains about WSJ editorial second time in a month

Constitutional affairs minister Erick Tsang Kwok-wai complained yet again to the Wall Street Journal about its editorial on Sunday's Legislative Council election, describing it as a "sham poll", and accusing the newspaper of "arrogance which knows no bounds".

It is the second time in a month that Tsang sent a strongly worded letter to complain the New York-based newspaper must correct its "inaccuracies".

"I am sickened by your biased and unsubstantiated editorials on Hong Kong issues and have given up hope that you will ever try to report accurately and fairly on Hong Kong," Tsang wrote in a letter dated on December 23.

Tsang (second left) retorts NY's voter turn out low

The opinion piece was titled: "Democracy Boycott in Hong Kong", which was published hours after voting closed on the first poll following the massive revamp of the electoral system.

The newspaper described the Legislative Council election as "a sham poll" in which democratic candidates were blocked from running", adding that "all candidates must receive Communist Party approval".

How is the second part incorrect? Because it was one-sided, the democratic candidates did not feel it was worth throwing their hats into the ring.

Tsang compared the poll's 30.2 percent turnout -- the lowest since 1997 -- to the 23 percent recorded in the recent New York mayoral contest, and the 33.3 percent of this year's French regional elections.''

"Following the logic of your argument, would you also suggest that 'almost nobody came to the election' in those two elections?" Tsang asked.

This is where Western countries have to be ashamed for their poor voter turnout, whereas in Australia you must vote otherwise you will be fined.

Only one non pro-Beijing candidate won

He also refers to a line in the editorial which said the news paper "seems to have a better feel for Hong Kong public sentiment than the government does", to which the minister countered: "I wonder how many times you have visited our city for you to be able to make such a claim. I am stunned by your arrogance which knows no bounds".

Earlier this month Tsang threatened to "take necessary action" against the WSJ over an editorial that he claimed incited residents to boycott the election or cast blank votes.

An opinion piece the following day disputed Tsang's December 6 letter and said he "seemed oblivious to the irony" when he started that Hong Kong upheld freedom of speech, the press and publication.

Tsang's knee-jerk reaction is so shrill and emotional, it's hard to take him that seriously...

Democracy with Chinese Characteristics

The results of the Legco election came out this morning

Yesterday's Legislative Council election was a foregone conclusion. As expected, the pro-Beijing camp swept all the seats except one in a "patriots only" overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system.

Only 30.2 percent of people cast votes, or 1.35 million, a record low since 1997. The last Legco election saw 58.3 percent of eligible residents head to the polls in 2016. 

Rowse was genuinely disappointed

There were some high-profile candidates in the race, including Allan Zeman, best known for developing Lan Kwai Fong into an entertainment district decades ago, and Mike Rowse, a former government official. The latter seemed really disappointed that he did not win a seat, saying that the Liaison Office had picked him and Zeman to win.

"My impression is that the central government was genuinely pleased with the diversity of candidates. It may share my disappointment that none were successful," he said.

Perhaps Rowse should have known the two of them represented the "diversity" part of the election, and that with most of the voters being elderly, there would be a very slim chance an English speaker would get more votes than he did.

In any event, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) is the biggest pro-Beijing party in the city, and it naturally won big, with a seat in each of the 10 geographical constituencies. 

One of its winners is Edward Leung-hei in Hong Kong Island East, who had campaigned to have an MTR station at Sai Wan Ho where there is already one since 1985, the same year he was born.

Leung won in Hong Kong Island East

Reverend Canon Peter Koon Ho-ming, who is best known for shielding the young man who killed his girlfriend in Taiwan that sparked the extradition bill and the protests that followed, has won a seat as a member of the election committee constituency. He is the first religious leader to join the legislature.

The only non pro-establishment candidate was Tik Chi-yuen, who founded the self-declared centrist party called Third Side. He won in the social welfare functional constituency.

Tik said he was surprised supporters of the pan-democratic camp had refused to vote this time, but vowed to keep his chin up despite the prospect of facing 89 opponents in the legislature alone.

"The pan-democratic bloc has always been the minority in Legco and they have never won when it comes to voting [on bills]," the 63-year-old said. "But I am sure I can still exert my influence and get the government to listen to me."

Tik is the only non pro-establishment to win seat

We wish him luck.

Just as the results were trickling in today, Beijing released its white paper titled: "Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems."

The report said the Communist Party of China "has championed whole process people's democracy in China, and this has laid the groundwork for developing democracy in Hong Kong under the framework of One Country, Two Systems."

"Over the past century, the CPC has led the Chinese people on a long and arduous journey to establish a model of democracy with Chinese characteristics", enabling them "to run their own country with extensive and substantive democratic rights," it states.

To put an end to the months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong, Xinhua news agency quoted the white paper as saying the CPC and Beijing took measures to restore order, returning the city's democratic process to a sound footing.

"With their political vision, the CPC and the Chinese government are certain of the long-term success of the socialist system on the mainland," the white paper said.

Beijing's white paper on HK's democracy overhaul

"They are equally certain of the long-term success of both the capitalist system in Hong Kong and a form of democracy suited to its realities."

With "improvements to the electoral system", the paper concludes, "governance by patriots will be further strengthened, rule of law and the business environment will continue to improve, and Hong Kong will become a more harmonious society".

It definitely sounds like democracy with Chinese characteristics.

It's pretty certain Beijing has been eager to present to the world its own version of democracy through this election and the ones to come, to prove that it brings peace and stability to the city.

With almost all the pro-democratic activists and lawmakers in jail or waiting trial or in exile, it's no doubt China's version of democracy will prevail.

But will it bring about a harmonious society? Perhaps the increasing emigration numbers are a sign...

Taking Election Benefit of Free Rides

Carrie Lam cast her vote this morning to kick off elections

The polling stations closed over an hour ago in the first revamped Legislative Council election and as of 9.30pm there were 29.28 percent of eligible voters who cast their ballots,  the lowest ever turnout for an election since 1997. The lowest was in 2000 at 43.57 percent.

Hmmm we wonder why.

Only some of the dim sum we ordered

There may be table banging in the Liaison Office in Western District tonight, wondering which bright person came up with the idea of giving all Hongkongers free rides on public transport (except ferries and buses going to the airport), as places like Disneyland and Ocean Park were packed with people.

The MTR constantly sent messages to subscribers, telling them taking the subway was free all day and there was no need to use the Octopus card, while buses had passengers use their card to count the number of people (presumably to bill the government later).

My friend and I took advantage of the free fares by going from Wan Chai to Hung Hom to go to Sheung Shui, where we went to get some dim sum (we were too hungry and over ordered).

Lining up for First Class - and we got a seat!

Then we got back on the train -- first class -- to Tai Wai, where we changed trains to go all the way on the newest line to Wu Kai Sha. Then we immediately went across the platform and too the opposite train back all 28 stops to Tuen Mun. 

From there we got out and took the light rail to Tuen Mun City Centre and got on the bus (that was just boarding) to go to Tung Chung and then ended up at City Gate to split a peanut butter and chocolate Cinnabon washed down with lemonade soda before taking the train back home.

The Tung Chung station was packed with people -- staff had tried to slow down the number of people going down to the platform, which was hard to do and they seemed to give up.

Phew! What a ride! By the time we took the train back to Hong Kong island at 5pm it was packed with people.

Rewarded ourselves with a Cinnabon

My whole transit fare would have cost HK$101 (US$13). I thought it would be more, but it was a good six hours well spent (and fed).

What we'd really like to know is how big the bill is for all the free public transit, sending out text messages urging people to vote, all the banners placed all over the city advertising the election, and for all 40,000 polling staff, and 10,000 police.

Was it really worth it?

An Historic Election to Come

Lee (right) talks to polling staff to prepare for tomorrow

On the eve of the Legislative Council election, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai says the government has not set a target for turnout, and accused anti-China forces of trying to undermine the poll by calling for a boycott.

He said on a radio program that he had noticed some foreign forces had appealed to people to cast blank votes while saying that a low turnout would mean that the new electoral system is a failure.

Lee warns "foreign forces" will not succeed

Tsang failed to explain who these "foreign forces" were, and why they would be so keen to spoil this election.

He said their "plot" would not succeed as whatever they did would not change the fact that Hong Kong is part of China and that it is determined to restore order in the SAR.

Meanwhile Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu says this weekend's Legco elections will be the largest ever -- with a record number of election staff on hand to help voters cast their ballots.

"This election is the largest in scale in Hong Kong's history. A record high of some 40,000 electoral staff will carry out duties related to polling and counting procedures," Lee told workers.

"To enable this election to be conducted smoothly, electoral staff should be committed to work, familiarise themselves with the procedures, and be flexible and adaptive to changes. I call on every colleague to be diligent and devote your full strength to help the government to run this historic election for Hong Kong."

The SMS people received on their phones today

This morning many people reported on Twitter that they received a text message from the government encouraging people to vote -- something it has never done previously.

"Cast your vote for HK -- our Home! LegCo Election is important to you and HK's future! Please vote at your polling station (08.30-22.30) on 19 Dec (Sun)."

Many also noted it was strange for them to get the message considering they were not permanent residents and so they were not eligible to vote...

Get Free Rides on Election Day

Trams, buses and the MTR will be free December 19

In order to boost the voter turnout at the polls next Sunday, the government has made all trams, trains, and buses free that day.

The scheme will cost an estimated HK$35 million (US$4.5 million), and the government did not say whether it will reimburse the companies involved.

Passengers on the MTR will not need to tap in to use the train, as well as KMB, New World First Bus, Citybus and Hong Kong Tramways.

Some operators say they are forced to waive fares

However, the free rides won't be available on airport and border routes, overnight services, KMB's luxury buses, or most routes covering south Lantau. Minibuses, or Kaito ferry services.

"MTR will closely monitor train service on that day and implement appropriate operational measures to meet passenger demand. There will also be additional staff assisting passengers at stations," the company said.

A spokesman for one transport concern group warned that "many people will just make use of the free rides for touring around the city."

Some transport operators agree, saying they were effectively being forced to bear the cost of forgone revenue.

Minibuses, ferries are not involved in the scheme

"It is very frustrating because the operators are forced to waive the fares," said one operator. "And riders could take advantage of the free rides for leisure and entertainment purposes."

It is strange for the government to make this offer in order to entice people to vote, since their polling station is walking distance from their homes...

Candidates Out of Touch with Reality

Leung seems to have no idea Sai Wan Ho has an MTR station

There's one Legislative Council candidate who is making a name for himself in the upcoming polls, but for the wrong reasons.

Hong Kong Island East candidate Edward Leung Hei is from the pro-Beijing DAB party, and during an election forum held by iCable, he was asked about the destination of ferries departing from Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier.

The station was opened in May 1985

"Sai Wan Ho at the moment has a lot of different transport [options], we have always been fighting to get an MTR station..." said Leung -- who was born two months before the station was opened there in May 1985.

How can Leung not know there is an MTR station at Sai Wan Ho? Does he live under a rock? He probably does not live near his constituency at all.

While his blunder was the worst, the other candidates -- pre-approved by Beijing -- could not answer other simple questions such as how much is the tram fare for adults, where to change the MTR to get from Taikoo to Kwun Tong, and name the three hospitals in the constituency.

Others didn't know how much a tram ride is

It is absolutely appalling these people who are running for Hong Kong Island East have no idea what ordinary residents know off the tops of their heads. It also shows how out of touch they are and if they are even qualified to run for office...

Government Madly Spinning the Election

How many people will turn out for the December 19 election?

The Hong Kong government is really spinning hard when it comes to the upcoming Legislative Council elections on December 19.

First it was outlawing people from instructing others on how to vote even though casting a blank ballot is not illegal, then it was opening up three border checkpoints for Hongkongers living on the mainland to vote without having to quarantine.

Lam says low turnout does "not mean anything"

But of the possible 100,000 voters in the three areas, Lo Wu, Heung Yuen Wai, and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, only 18,000 people registered.

A survey found 60 percent of respondents had no idea who was running in the election and only 34 percent planned not to vote, to which the Independent Commission Against Corruption is looking into the possibility that the survey was influencing voters.

It seems that the government thinks voter turn out may be low, and so instead of hoping for high numbers, its leader is predicting all is well because of the silent majority.

In an interview with state-media outlet Global Times, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said a low voter turn out will "not mean anything".

"There is a saying from the government in the old days that when the administration is doing well and its credibility is high, the voter turnout will decrease because the people do not have a strong impetus to choose different lawmakers to supervise the government," she said. "Therefore, I think the turnout rate does not mean anything."

Hongkongers can also vote at three border points

Which "old days" is Lam referring to? The colonial ones when people didn't even have the right to vote?

She has to dig so far back in history, when only two years ago a record 71 percent of 4.13 million people turned out to cast their ballot to turn 17 out of 18 districts into pro-democracy ones.

Hong Kong Sends Warning Shot to WSJ

Tsang threatened to take "necessary action" against WSJ

The Hong Kong government continues to be on the offensive against anyone who may seem to be appear to be directing people on how to vote in the upcoming Legislative Council elections on December 19.

Its latest salvo was against the Wall Street Journal which published an editorial last Tuesday that said because the city's electoral system has been completely overhauled so that only "patriots" hold political power, so that "boycotts and blank votes are one of the last ways for Hongkongers to express their political views".

A screenshot of Tsang's letter headline

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai took offence to the editorial and threatened "to take necessary action".

He wrote a letter to the WSJ dated December 1, but in it he mentions the election "next month". Nevertheless, the letter was printed in full with the headline: "Hong Kong Issues a Threat to the WSJ", hinting that freedom of the press was also being intimidated.

Tsang claimed there were "factual inaccuracies and baseless assumptions" in the WSJ editorial.

In his letter, Tsang claimed to be "shocked" that Hongkongers could only either cast a blank vote or boycott the election.

"Please be advised that inciting another person not to vote, or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period is an offence under... the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, irrespective whether the incitement is made in Hong Kong or abroad," he wrote. "We reserve the right to take necessary action."

Chan says WSJ made a statement, not opinion

Last month Tsang also wrote to Bloomberg about its article about the upcoming election, claiming it was "sensationalist and biased reporting" that was "extremely deplorable".

However, Hong Kong Journalists Association chairman Ronson Chan Ron-sing expressed doubts over the need for Tsang to issue such warnings to a media outlet.

"The WSJ only made a statement that boycotts and blank votes are one of the ways voters can choose to express their political views. You can disagree with the WSJ and put forward your arguments." he said.

"Warning that it is against the law serves no purpose, and only makes you look like you are losing your bearings."

Ouch, but true.

ICAC Investigates Election Poll

The 2019 District Council elections had record turnout

A few days ago the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute conducted a survey asking Hongkongers what their voting plans were for the upcoming Legislative Council elections on December 19.

But pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao accused PORI's pollsters of breaking the law by merely asking how people would vote.

Peh says ICAC looking into allegations

So now the Independent Commission Against Corruption has to look into the allegations, with its commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu warning the institute may have breached the law when its survey offered the option of casting a blank vote or not vote at all.

Ask to clarify his comments on Saturday, Peh said things would depend on the circumstances.

"I'm not saying that offering such an option in the survey [is] definitely against the law, but I don't know how they would ask the question, how they would collate the data or how they would release the result," Peh said.

"If there is any element which amounts to inciting other people not to vote or to cast an invalid vote openly, publicly, that would be liable under the ordinance."

However, Peh noted it isn't illegal for people to cast blank or invalid ballots.

The survey had found that more than half of registered voters did not know who was running for the upcoming election in their constituency, and that only about 52 percent would go vote.

The survey only polled 838 people

So perhaps the pro-Beijing side is upset at the prospect of an embarrassing low turnout compared to the 2019 election when a record 71 percent of registered voters cast their ballots for the District Council elections.

It is worth mentioning only 838 people were polled when there are over 4.1 million registered voters.

Why be so concerned about what 838 people have to say?

In the meantime the ICAC will duly investigate, but it seems like a storm in a teacup... 

An Upcoming Election Not Many Know About

Hong Kong will have an election soon, did you know?

Hong Kong will have its first election for the Legislative Council since the electoral system was overhauled on December 12, but ask people if they know who's on the ballot and they'd probably reply that they didn't.

The changes to the electoral system include adding 20 more seats to the legislature's previous 70, but the number of directly elected lawmakers has decreased from 35 to 20. 

Pro-democracy parties criticised the move as a way to silence dissent and make it harder for them to run; in the end they decided there was no point in running, which will further change the political landscape.

Number of directly-elected seats down to 20

There is no more intense campaigning or rallies, only the odd leaflet handed out and no one cares to grab one either.

A survey on November 24 by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute found of the 838 people questioned, 60 percent did not know any of the candidates running in their geographic constituency, while 40 percent knew at least one.

In addition, 52 percent of them plan to vote, which is a sharp drop from 2018 when 80 percent said they would definitely cast their ballot.

Perhaps this is why the Hong Kong government has decided to set up polling stations at three border check points, Heung Yuen Wai, Lo Wu, and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line so that Hongkongers living in China could cast their votes -- quarantine free. The numbers of people living in these areas could add another 111,000 votes... for which side?

In the meantime the authorities are cracking down on anyone who is directing people on how to vote on December 19. Today arrest warrants were issued for former lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung who is now in Australia, and former district councillor Yau Man-chun now in the UK, for urging voters to either cast blank ballots or boycott the election.

An arrest warrant was issued for Ted Hui

Hui and Yau posted on their social media pages between October 30 and November 29, with the former calling for the public to cast blank votes, while the latter told people not to vote, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

In his post, Hui hoped there would be more blank ballots than those filled out as a sign of resistance to tyranny, while Yau called for an outright boycott of the election.

The ICAC presented its investigation to the Department of Justice and it said there was enough evidence to prosecute the two men, and hence the arrest warrants. Hui faces four charges, Yau, eight.

The anti-corruption agency urged the public not to engage in making illegal appeals or repost unlawful content to uphold a fair and clean election.

"The commission will continue to take resolute enforcement actions to combat conduct manipulating and sabotaging the election to ensure that it will be held in a fair and just manner."

Yau is in the UK

In response to the warrant, Yau wrote on his Facebook page: "As for the coffee invitation from the ICAC, my response for now is: noted."

Earlier this month, the ICAC arrested three people for allegedly urging others to cast blank ballots in the Legco election, shortly after security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung warned that such calls might be illegal.

Two men and a woman aged between 29 and 65 were arrested for reposting an online post that encouraged voters to cast blank votes. The trio were later released on bail pending a further investigation.

And just to make sure the elections go smoothly, on December 19 there will be 10,000 police officers all over the streets of Hong Kong... 

Children in Poverty are Stressed and Tired

A sister looks after her younger sibling in a cramped flat

It is heartbreaking to read a report that in some impoverished families in Hong Kong, children help supplement their parents' income by collecting cardboard and other paper, or cannot go out and play because they need to look after younger siblings and do housework.

One 15-year old spends an hour a day finding discarded cardboard in Sham Shui Po so that he can earn HK$25 (US$3.20) a week for 5kg.

He also prepares lunch for his 10-year-old sister and tutors her, as his mother, a 39-year-old divorced cleaner is too busy working.

Impoverished families usually have single parents

"When I think of how hard my mother works, I think it's all right to help out a bit," said the secondary three student. 

"There are people who ask, 'Why are you gathering cardboard at such a young age?' I think it's OK to help my mother when she earns so little."

According to the Hong Kong government's Poverty Situation Report, there were 274,900 children under the age of 18 living in poverty.

The city's poverty rate is 23.6 percent, or 1.65 million people, a 12-year high.

An individual whose income is lHK$4,400 or less per month or a family of three with a total income of HK$16,000 or less is considered poor by the government.

A survey by the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) between June 2020 and September this year found 80 percent of 201 poor children between the ages of three and 17 had to do housework or look after their family members.

Children are usually too tired to do homework

Nearly one-third spent more than eight hours a week helping at home, and nearly a fifth more than 16 hours a week. Their parents were either at work, ill, or had to return to the mainland to renew their visas.

Fifty-seven percent of children took care of family members, including bathing or feeding them, and nearly one in 10 sold waste paper and cardboard to help their families make ends meet.

As a result of doing so much housework and looking after family members, the children felt exhausted, helpless or stressed, and had attention issues and muscle aches. They also didn't have enough rest, or lacked time or energy to play and meet with friends.

"We sometimes see these children quitting school because they have to make money for their families, or they are absent from our [extracurricular] classes because they have to cook for their younger siblings or take care of sick family members," said SoCO deputy director Sze Lai-shan.

Does the government not care for these children? Why squabble over the definition of poverty and help them instead?

Some children collect cardboard for extra money

They deserve to at least have time to do their homework, and play with friends as a bit of stress relief. 

With hardly any pan-democrats like Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung and Leung Kwok-hung in the Legislative Council to shed attention on grassroots social issues like these, it's not surprising the government isn't interesting... though almost 275,000 children who are poor cannot be swept under the carpet either.

Hong Kong cannot afford to have children suffering from the yawning wealth gap when the city is so rich.