CY Leung Says Party's Over for Pro-Beijing Camp

A party was held for 500 guests to send off a district officer

As the Hong Kong police run a campaign of terror, taking in and questioning the relatives of the eight pro-democracy activists who have HK$1 million bounties on their heads, the pro-establishment camp has been indulging in excess.

One party in particular caught the ire of former chief executive Leung Chun-ying as being over-the-top.

It was a party featuring 500 guests in Kowloon Bay to send off Wong Tai Sin District Officer Steve Wong Chi-wah, who will be going to Beijing for a year for further studies.

Was this lavish party really necessary?

The guests included officials, lawmakers and representatives of pro-Beijing district groups and the big event was organised by the Kowloon Federation of Associations.

Following Leung's criticism, Executive Council Convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and member Ronny Tong Ka-wah also chimed in.

Ip said officers should be more careful in their conduct, as they would be given more authority after the government revamps the district councils later this year. The plan is for them to be "chief executive" of their respective areas.

"District officers will have a lot more influence under the new system. They must be vigilant to guard against a 'flattery culture' because of their increased influence," she said.

"Excessive flattery and personal adulation are disconcerting... administrative officers should work hard, blend in well with the local community, but also stay humble."

These officers will be able to set new meeting rules and assign consultation tasks to councillors.

Leung says pro-Beijing camp needs to be humble

In a Facebook post on Friday, Leung criticised what he called growing "ostentatious and extravagant" practices by the pro-establishment camp had to stop.

"We need to put a brake on this ostentatious and extravagant trend," he said.

"Where did the money come from? What are the benefits? Does it achieve positive social or political outcomes, or rather is there a negative impact?"

Despite the questions, former district councillor Chan Kam-lam, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong who attended the dinner says it was no big deal.

"It was just a community activity and reflected the overwhelming support [Wong] received from the district's residents," he said.

"It's very common community activity and reflected the overwhelming support [Wong] received from district residents," Chan said. "It's very common for district bodies to bid farewell to district officers."

Many remember Leung's daughter's incidents

OK but is it that common to host 500 guests and spending so much money to do that?

Chan added many district residents wanted to show their appreciation from Wong, as he had done a lot for people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

While that may be a nice gesture, Leung is signalling that the pro-establishment camp needs to smarten-up and not be frivolous... is he fancying himself like the morality police?

It's amusing considering his own children have done self-indulgent things where one daughter has posted on social media about her rows with her parents, the other believing she had privilege to have airport staff bring her her luggage...

Starry Lee to Exit Stage Right

Lee has announced she will step down as head of the DAB

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the largest political party in Hong Kong has announced she will step down due to workload concerns.

Lee who headed the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong for eight years, made the announcement on a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Remember this striking image from May 2020?

"With limited time and limited work capability, I am starting to realise that it may not be conducive to the development of the party [if I continue]," Lee, 49, said.

"After careful consideration, I have decided not to run for election as DAB chairman. I am pleased to see that there is much talent in the party and I am certain that the future chairman will be more successful."

She was the first female DAB leader when she succeeded party veteran Tam Yiu-chung in 2015.

But we remember her most for her power grab in May 2020 when security guards removed 15 pro-democracy lawmakers, including Lam Cheuk-ting from a meeting room regarding the election of the House Committee chairperson.

Pro-democracy politicians like Lam were ejected

The sight of masked security personnel surrounding her as she sat in the chairperson seat was a sign of things to come...

And three years later she is giving up all this power?

Seems like an unceremoniously early exit for this ambitious woman.

Hong Kong Consumption Vouchers -- Yay or Nay?

Should local residents get consumption vouchers again?

The debate over whether the Hong Kong government should issue consumption vouchers has resumed again, with Executive Council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee saying no.

"There was a limited effect on the economy when the HK$10,000 spending vouchers were given out again last year. Government resources are limited, so they should invest in the long-term development of Hong Kong instead. But appropriate anti-poverty measures are still needed," she said.

Does she revel in making people not like her?

Ip with her beloved scarves says no

E-vouchers were introduced in 2021 to force people to use up the money through spending it on their Octopus card or on their phone app like AliPay.

But for Ip to not have any sympathy for those who have been out of work but are not considered below the poverty level especially during these three years, any kind of financial help would be greatly appreciated to pay for everyday items, in particular food with the surge in inflation these days.

Perhaps Ip isn't aware of how inflation is hurting people hard these days, when her sacrifice was to not wear her Burberry scarves or buy any more items from the luxury brand until it "retracted or apologised for its unfounded allegations against Xinjiang".

Local celebrities were split for and against supporting cotton from Xinjiang in March 2021.

But back to the vouchers.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong supports issuing vouchers at no less than HK$5,000. The DAB joins the Federation of Trade Unions, and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in supporting the move.

Kong says yes, but with a HK$50K limit

Interesting that Legislative Council member Doreen Kong Yuk-foon suggests consumption vouchers should only go to those earning less than HK$50,000.

How did the solicitor and politician come up with this salary amount as the borderline?