Eddie Chu Hoi-dick's Fears Assauged for Now

Eddie Chu (in white shirt) with pro-democracy politicians at the police station

Eddie Chu Hoi-dick may be "king of the votes" for garnering over 84,000 votes in Sunday's Legislative Council election, but now the 38-year-old is fearing for his life after "imminent" death threats made against him and his family.

They are so terrified, that he, his wife and daughter haven't been home since Sunday.

Chu was accompanied to the police station with his lawyer

This afternoon, Chu along with Paul Zimmerman, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, and "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung went to police headquarters in Wan Chai to file a report. He also sent letters to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung, seeking assistance.

His request was granted and now Chu and his family are under round-the-clock protection and they are staying in a secret location. His daughter will not be going to school for the time being.

"I have faced threats against myself and my family since I announced my bid for Legco," Chu told the media. "They have escalated into an imminent death threat since I was elected."

Chu is a longtime a grassroots environmental activist, and during his campaign he may have upset some people on issues such as changing the land use in the New Territories and an illegal dumping case in Tin Shui Wai.

Chu (holding bouquet) with his supporters on Monday

He is also promising to take on the powerful Heung Yee Kuk, a statutory advisory body that is supposed to represent villagers' interests, but is widely accused of corruption and anti-environmental practices.

In his election platform, Chu campaigned not only for Hong Kong self determination, but also animal rights, and strong opposition to the "South Lantau Metropolis", that the government wants to develop into a residential and business enclave that could have a massive impact on the environment.

Chu is one extremely brave man and hopefully police protection will help him breathe a bit easier.

But he should also remember over 84,000 people support him and hopefully strength in numbers will help him stand down those making dangerous threats.

Hong Kong is ruled by rule of law, not intimidation.

CY Leung's Election Spin

What is Leung Chun-ying really thinking behind that broad smile?

Is Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying delusional or desperately trying to play down the results of the Legislative Council elections that saw 30 seats go to pro-democracy and localist parties, three more than four years ago?

He said those candidates who called for his removal had been voted out, and welcomed new faces, but the younger ones are already looking to make Leung sweat a bit more.

And he also rejected claims that the voters were unhappy with his government, suggesting instead the electorate were tired of those pan-democrats who used radical tactics like filibustering to oppose his policies.

Lau Siu-kai cautions Leung not all will be rosy next year

He really has no idea what he is going to be up against, or doesn't want Beijing to think this will be a problem he can't handle.

Leung even stated the elections don't have any bearing on the election for chief executive next year, and would not say if he would run again for another five-year term.

"The Legco election results have nothing to do with the chances of anyone who aspires to be the next chief executive of Hong Kong," he said.

Uh huh.

"Some candidates who obviously disagree with me seeking another term also failed to be elected," Leung said, but he was probably referring to Ricky Wong Wai-kay, whose platform was "ABC", or "Anyone but CY". Wong lost by 2,000 votes to Tanya Chan Suk-chong of the Civic Party.

James To says Leung isn't reading the election results properly

However, for Leung to think he's still safe in Beijing's eyes better think again.

Professor Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, a semi-official mainland think tank, said Beijing fully understood the election results reflected public discontent with the Leung administration.

"In the eyes of the central government, there is no Hongkonger who cannot be replaced," said Lau.

Veteran Democrat James To Kun-sun said, "Mr Leung must think Hong Kong people are stupid. Our election platform state clearly that we oppose him getting a second term."

Macau's Boom (Again)

Paris of the East? Eiffel Tower in front of The Parisian

We made a day trip out to Macau today and it was overwhelming to see a few new resorts opened in Taipa, such as Studio City, Wynn Palace, and The Parisian which officially opens next week.

Across from The Parisian is Studio City

Media who have visited Wynn Palace have posted pictures on social media of its magnificent water fountain out front that's reminiscent of Bellagio, but no where near the same scale. There's also a kitsch floral horse merry-go-round, a cable car ride, and a bizarre show featuring King Kong.

Studio City has a Gotham-esque look from a distance, but up close it's pretty much like any other large-scale casino complex in Macau, complete with a shopping mall, restaurants, and food court for plebeians with a 1920s Hollywood theme. Oh and if you need cash, ICBC or Industrial and Commerce Bank of China has a branch right in the resort.

On the outside The Parisian features a copy of the Eiffel Tower out in front, complete with a French chateau-style building behind it. Workers were still adding finishing touches, and it seemed ironic to see the red, blue and white plastic awning covering the base of the Eiffel Tower.

There are people dining in La Chine in the middle of the tower, serving what I've been told is Chinese food with French influences... But the view must be pretty neat...

A glittering chandelier in Studio City

A few months ago business in Macau was quite dire, but we were told July and August were very busy -- thanks to the very competitive hotel packages focused on families. Some rates were almost half off.

But now that kids are back in school, how will hotels sustain themselves? And there is still yet another resort to open, The 13, as in Louis XIII, the over-the-top complex that has 200 "villas", six fine dining restaurants, a fleet of 30 Rolls-Royce Phantoms, the largest ever single order for the luxury car, and the drivers -- oops chauffeurs -- were even trained by the car manufacturer.

Meanwhile, the Macau government is still building its ferry terminal in Taipa -- 10 years behind schedule. With the Hong Kong-Macau, Zhuhai bridge opening in about a year's time, is a new ferry terminal warranted?

See the reclamation works in the background?

And the roads... Macau used to be a small village and so roundabouts were fine to keep the traffic flowing. But now it's so congested with massive casino buses ferrying people around. The government is building a rapid transit system, but will that alleviate the situation significantly?

Towards the Macau Hong Kong ferry pier, we could see lots of land reclamation works going on and wondered what would be built there.

We'll just have to watch and see...

The New Face of Legco

Nathan Law of Demosisto is Hong Kong's youngest lawmaker

Hong Kong's Legislative Council has some new faces in it, and they won't be ones Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will be interested in. He's probably relieved that the pro-Beijing camp still has the majority of seats, but it's not going to be an easy ride.

While the pro-democracy camp has enough seats to have veto power, eight of them are localists or even radicals. Two of them are from Youngspiration.

The youngest lawmaker voted into office is 23-year-old Nathan Law Kwun-chung of Demosisto, who was shocked to garner enough votes for a seat. Part of it is strategic campaigning, when candidates like Paul Zimmerman stepped down from the race and advised his supporters to vote for Law.

Eddie Chu Hoi-dick got over 84,000 votes

Most interesting is Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, an independent who got a staggering 84,000 votes in New Territories West.

And in Kowloon West, all six seats will be occupied by women! How refreshing!

People are keen for change. They are tired of the pan-democrats agitating and filibustering and not getting very far. They want real action which is why they voted in fresh (and young) blood.

This is going to make Legco more fractured than ever, and so while the government will hope the political rookies will learn how things really work in Hong Kong, the Leung administration will also have to listen to them because they will be representing the people who want their voices heard.

They are tired of the government pleasing Beijing -- they want the authorities to work for them, the residents of the city.

Youngspiration's Yau Wai-ching is 25 years old

On a taxi ride home just now, I asked the taxi driver what he thought of the results of the election. The man, probably in his 60s wasn't too happy. He said he just didn't want more trouble in Hong Kong, hinting those young people are going to create more tension.

I wanted to say, we'll see, as in, it may not be that bad, but thought that might stoke the flames of frustration.

But really -- we'll have to see. Hong Kong's political scene just got several notches more interesting. And with more young people who started off protesting in the streets now having real power to make things into law within the span of two years, it's pretty impressive.

And for people to have faith in them too. So maybe there is hope in the city after all.