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Prominent figures in political, business and professional circles praised Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor as a “capable and committed” person who would be a very good leader for Hong Kong.
They made the remarks after Lam resigned from the post of chief secretary for administration and began preparations to run in the Chief Executive election in March.
Business tycoon, “Father of Lan Kwai Fong” Allan Zeman, who is also an Election Committee member from the catering subsector, spoke highly of Lam.
“Carrie will be a very good CE”, Zeman told China Daily. “She has the temperament to unite the people of Hong Kong, who are very divided at the moment, and to address young people’s concerns and bring them hope.”
He also thought Lam’s policymaking background in lands, social welfare and culture would be useful to her when running for the post and governing the city if elected.
Although some argue Lam lacks experience in handling economic affairs, Zeman said she is a very smart person, very good with numbers. He believes there will also be very capable people in her team to assist her in this area.
He also dismissed the business sector’s fears that Lam would favor populism and welfarism. “They are overworried because they don’t really understand her vision,” he noted, saying he will nominate and vote for Lam.
Echoing Zeman, Chan Wing-kee, a Standing Committee member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and also an Election Committee member in the manufacturing subsector, staunchly backed Lam.
“She is a person with very good abilities, as well as being
She (Carrie Lam) has the temperament to unite the people of Hong Kong, who are very divided at the moment.” Allan Zeman, business tycoon and “Father of Lan Kwai Fong”
strong and pragmatic,” he said. “She is a very good contender for the next CE. If she is elected, it will be a good thing and will stabilize the political environment in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong Housing Society Chairman Marco Wu Moon-hoi, also an Election Committee member from the surveying field, has worked with Lam on lands and housing issues when she was secretary for development. Wu praised her as “highly capable, committed, responsible” person and has a heart in doing her work.
“She has very broad visions. Before tackling problems, she would identify if there are resultant problems or implications, instead of solving the imminent problems only,” he commented. “She is a very good CE election contender.”
Mike Rowse, a former senior civil servant with 28 years of service until he retired in 2008, knows Lam well.
He described Lam as a very capable, clear-thinking and approachable person who is very determined to carry out her assignments and tasks.
Rowse, now a headhunter in the private sector, hopes Lam will find solutions to the fundamental problems Hong Kong is facing, amid a “poisonous atmosphere” in the city.