Former CS kicks off election campaign

Lam vows to enhance communication with the public during electoral race

Chief Executive contender Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor visited the Southern District on Friday to let the people there learn more about her work, commitment to Hong Kong and vision for the future.

The visit marked the launch of her election campaign in different city districts as well as a chance to solicit views from people.

Lam was welcomed by local residents in two major residential areas in Southern District — Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau.

As she passed by shops and restaurants, people came out and shook hands with her. She also joined them for milk tea at a local restaurant.

The former chief secretary for administration (CS) said she was touched by the warm greetings and support from residents.

“More public support will be helpful for implementation of policies,” Lam said.

She vowed to enhance communication with ordinary people during her election campaign.

Lam also expressed regret that more progress had not been made on electoral reform. The government’s proposal on electoral reform, which intended to offer Hong Kong people universal suffrage so they could elect the leader of the government in 2017, was vetoed by opposition lawmakers in 2015.

Lam said the CE election in March would have been a more significant one if people could choose their leader through “one person, one vote”.

However, she said people still have great expectations about the upcoming CE election and are not reticent about expressing their views on different candidates.

Lam said that if elected, she would consult the public if the SAR government decides to reopen any political reform initiatives.

Meanwhile, a public survey conducted by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services (HKCSS), a statutory body coordinating local non-governmental organizations, showed people were expressing greater satisfaction with the government’s social welfare and poverty alleviation policies.

Lam was the key official responsible for the government’s work in those areas in her capacity as former chief secretary and former chairwoman of the Commission on Poverty.

The average score given to poverty relief policies in the latest Policy Address, rated by 528 interviewees, stood at 51.2. This was nearly 10 points higher than last year.

HKCSS Business Director Anthony Wong Kin-wai, who is in charge of policy research and advocacy, said this year’s Policy Address offered concrete financial assistance to underprivileged people.

In the address on Wednesday, the government proposed more assistance by providing a higher monthly allowance of HK$3,435 per person. This is about one-third more than the existing rate for eligible elderly people with greater financial needs.

At a separate occasion, another CE contender, former financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, told a radio program he wanted to rebuild trust, restore unity and bring hope.

Retired judge Woo Kwokhing and Chairwoman of the New People’s Party Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee have also joined the race for the CE post.

More public support will be helpful for implementation of policies.” Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive contender