Who is Next?
Now that Carrie Lam is out of the picture, it’s still not clear who will step in. Whoever may be, it’s certain that it is a puppet government.
Definition: The Perfect Election, the outcome is known before the election. The simplest way to accomplish it is to have only one candidate.
Remember back in 1997 at the first Hong Kong SAR CE election, there were three candidates. Everybody knows the outcome, but still watched things unfolded with a certain enthusiasm. We all watched each and every vote being written down on three different blackboards for three candidates.
Then Mr. Tung Chee-hwa stepped down in the middle of his second term due to pain in his foot. Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen was assigned by the Central government to take over for the remaining of the term. When it was time to run for the second term, Alan Leong Kah-kit of the Civic Party entered the race to make it a competition. Even though he looked good on the TV debate, no one would think he stood a chance. At least, the people felt they were part of it, even though they didn’t get to vote.
When Donal Tsang finished his second term, he wasn’t allowed to run again. Still, not too many people showed interest, we all knew, they must get the nod from the Central government first. Henry Tong Ying-Lin was a favourite, but CY Leung talked himself into the race. They were both be considered to be blessed by the Central government, so it should be a real competition. Together with Albert Ho representing the democratic side, it turned out to be an ugly fight. So ugly, that it divided the society that it never amend properly.
Leung wanted a second term but was denied. Carrie Lam was an early choice from the Central government. Eventually, John Tsang, the then Financial Secretary, and Wu Kwok-Hing, a retired judge were allowed to run as well. Tsang ran a beautiful campaign, made good use of social media, and got the people behind him. He led the opinion poll all the way but still had to settle for a distant second when the votes were real.
Too bad, the decisive votes are from the 1,194-member Election Committee (now increased to 1,500 members). Most of them will follow orders. Getting the public’s support, unfortunately, means nothing.
This CE election is the first one after the massive overhaul of the electoral system in Hong Kong last year. They are supposed to be perfect, and they are eager to show the world the great system they created. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic outbreak, they are not going to do the full show. They just take the cake out from under the table, to show us the final product. That’s why the pro-Central Government media had already rallied for John Lee, and why the next CE should be someone like him.
And speaking of the devil, Lee finally resigned from his current post and announced he will run for the CE position. It also looks like he will be the only candidate. Sure, there were other four or five persons who handed in their applications, but nobody care about them, not even themselves. The script is written, and the election is done. Now they can cast their vote.
