Carrie's Compassion Falls Short

Lam finally offered condolences to those who lost loved ones

Today Hong Kong reported 27,647 Covid-19 cases, 15,788 from PCR tests, 11,858 from RAT which shows a slight downward trend, but officials caution residents to remain vigilant and not let their guard down anytime soon.

The number of dead however does not seem to come down, with 285 in total logged, of which 198 were in the past 24 hours, 87 backlogged.

Finally today after four consecutive news briefings, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor acknowledged the high death toll everyday and offered her sympathies, as well as hope.

Leung's brother passed away from Covid-19

"We send our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones, whether you are a legislator or an ordinary citizen," she said, referring to lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun whose brother died of Covid-19 at the age of 63.

"We also hope that through collaboration with all citizens, we can step out of the fifth wave of the pandemic as soon as possible, so people can resume their daily routines, live their lives and go to work healthily in Hong Kong."

Some political watchers are not impressed with Lam's performance, which is making it even harder for Hongkongers to put their trust in her.

Professor Song Sio-chong, from Shenzhen University's Research Centre of Hong Kong and Macau Basic Law, said Lam's remarks only showed her combative character to always resort to a rebuttal.

"If I were her, I would have just said what I have done and to which degree," Song said.

Lau says Lam needs to be more empathetic 

Meanwhile political analyst Lau Siu-kai from the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank says Lam's condolences were overdue, and that showing empathy was a direct way to establish an emotional bond needed for governance.

"One doesn't just keep boasting how good one is or how few mistakes one has made. Establishing emotional bonding can be more effective sometimes," he said.

Looks like Beijing has set off the green light for open season on criticising Lam openly. How is she going to survive the onslaught?

Singer Anthony Wong Arrested

 Wong arrested for allegedly singing songs at election rally

Another day, another arrest.

This time it's singer Anthony Wong Yiu-min for allegedly inducing others to vote for then candidate Au Nok-yin for the 2018 Legislative Council by-election.

Au was canvasing for the 2018 election

Au, 34, was also charged along with 59-year-old Wong for engaging in corrupt conduct for providing others with entertainment during an election, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

It's interesting the ICAC is behind these arrests and not the national security law officers.

The ICAC alleges Wong performed two songs on the stage at a rally in Central and appealed to those attending to vote for Au at the coming election.

They were both charged on Monday under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance and are to appear at Eastern Court on Thursday. Wong was released on bail.

The anti-graft agency said from late February 2018, Au published several posts on his social media saying he would hold a two-hour rally at Edinburgh Place in Central on March 3 that year and a few hours before the event revealed Wong would perform that day.

Leung has had a singer at her rally too

The Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance deems conduct corrupt if a person provides all or part of the cost of food, drink or entertainment for another person for the purpose of inducing others to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate at an election.

Wong is not only known as one-half of Canto-pop duo Tat Ming Pair, but was also a prominent supporter of the opposition camp, and protest movement. He is also an activist for sexual minority groups.

While Au and Wong will be defending themselves in court, it is also worth noting that a Chinese drum crew had performed at the rally of pro-establishment candidate Rebecca Chan Hoi-yan.

Also, in 2015, Dr Lee Ka-yan, who is a popular singer of local children's songs, performed alongside pro-Beijing lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun in Whampoa, where she was running for the district council elections.

Lai (right) dedicated 2 songs to Tsang

In addition, as far back as 2007, when then chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen campaigned for his re-election, Canto-pop singers Leon Lai Ming and Leo Ku Kui-kei dedicated two songs to Tsang, according to pro-establishment newspaper Wen Wei Po.

When asked if other politicians would be investigated as well, the ICAC spokesman said it would not comment on the probe, but stressed the commission acted with impartiality...