DAB, FTU throw their weight behind former CS
Chief Executive candidate Carrie Lam Cheng Yu et - n g o r o n Fr i d a y received the blessing of various sectors — includi n g th e ci t y ’s bi g g e s t political party and largest workers’ union — two days before the CE election on Sunday.
The Central Committee of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) — the SAR’s largest political group, decided to unanimously cast their more than 100 votes for Lam following a meeting on Friday night.
“Carrie Lam is the candidate who fits most with our political ideals, ho p e s an d et h o s ,” th e DAB announced after the closed-door meeting.
Hong Kong faces numerous political, economic and livelihood challenges and the city needs a new CE who will “stand by what is right and strive for results”, the statement said.
The former chief secretary’s (CS) strong administrative experience, her courage and sense of responsibility had made the party believe she can face the challenges ahead.
“The election platform that she ran on is relatively holistic and realistic, a platform that reflects her long years of experience in government and policymaking. Her platform also shows that she is ready to proactively use some of our financial reserves to help solve the most urgent issues in our city,” the DAB said.
The city’s largest worke rs ’ un i o n , th e Ho n g Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), made an appeal on the same day for its 63 Election Committee members to support Lam after an internal opinion poll showed an overwhelming 90 percent of its 410,000 members across the city backed Lam.
The union said its decision to support Lam was made based on the consideration that Hong Kong needed a CE with strong credentials and an ability to lead the city’s long-term development.
Lam’s pragmatism and ability to handle complex situations and issues made her more suitable than the other two candidates, the union concluded.
Also on Friday, the Agriculture and Fisheries subsector, with 60 votes in the Election Committee, also strongly endorsed Lam.
It noted that Lam was the ideal candidate for Hong Kong as she had gained extensive support from many sectors. Such broad support across society would help her unite the city and its people.
Also running for the city’s top job are former financial secretary John Ts an g Ch u n - w a h an d retired judge Woo Kwokhing. The winning candidate must take at least 601 votes and be appointed by the central government.
The election platform that she (Carrie Lam) ran on is relatively holistic and realistic, a platform that reflects her long years of experience in government and policymaking.” vice-president of the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants’ Association, expresses her concern about the mudslinging practices at play in the Chief Executive election.
The Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants’ Association, the city’s largest civil service group, hopes the imminent Chief Executive election is run in a clean, healthy and harmonious atmosphere.
Li Kwai-yin, vice-president of the association, regretted that she saw a spread of “black materials” — unsubstantiated, anonymous allegations — against candidates.
The three candidates are former chief secretary for administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor, ex-financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, and retired judge Woo Kwok-hing.
Earlier, former head of Democratic Party Emily Lau Wai-hing quoted an anonymous source as saying that if Lam were elected at least three senior officials at permanent secretary level would resign.
After checking, Li said 15 of the 18 serving permanent secretaries had reached the retirement age of 55. As one needs to apply a year before to retire early, Lau’s accusation seems groundless and malicious.
Lam was also said to have scolded a veteran permanent secretary to tears. However the official in the news, Elizabeth Tse Man-yee from the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, denied the news.
“These things were obviously targeting Lam. Any allegations must be factual, while people are irresponsible to spread unsubstantiated, anonymous allegations,” Li said when asked whether there is a smear campaign which also harms the political neutrality of civil servants.
The association, together with other civil service groups, met Lam last week to give their views and expectations before sending their written views to all three candidates.
Only Lam responded, inviting them to a meeting on March 16. Li was a bit disappointed by the snub from the other two candidates, especially Tsang, who had once been a civil servant. Li said she could not understand their electioneering strategies.
Li said: “We hope whoever the new CE is will continue the partnership and cooperation between the government and the civil servants.”
The association hopes the new government will take steps to enhance the quality of civil servants by broadening their international vision and knowledge about the nation, enabling them to face political, social and economic challenges.
Li emphasized: “Civil servants are the cornerstone of public governance. Whoever becomes CE will need civil servants to execute the government policies.”
To maintain political neutrality, civil servants do not name their favorite candidate.
The association’s proposals included extending by five years the retirement age of disciplined and general-grade staff who joined after June 2000, because they are not pensioned colleagues and receive only provident funds. It is also proposed they be offered medical and dental services after retirement.
“We are glad that Lam’s election manifesto has covered retirement age extension, while she responded positively to our other suggestions,” Li revealed.
“Given she is former chief secretary for administration, she knew government operations very well and grasped our concerns. As the meeting was not too long, we hope to have exchanges with the new CE after the election,” she added.
Any allegations must be factual, while people are irresponsible to spread unsubstantiated, anonymous allegations.”
vice-president of the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants’ Association