When A Pretty Election Candidate Becomes an Offence

When A Pretty Election Candidate Becomes an Offence

Translated by Samuel L., edited by Chen-tang, written by Yat Ming Ging Yan (一鳴驚人)
Original: http://polymerhk.com/articles/2015/12/17/25526/

At the age of 24, Yau Wai-ching is young and pretty, grabbing much attention from the general public ever since her electioneering campaign. But, being pretty does not mean she can please everyone. First had Yau Wai-ching been lambasted, as participating in ‘a pageant contest’ but not ‘the district council election’. Faning Yim, a member of the League of Social Democrats, further put her jealousy into words, claiming that ‘let’s turn the LegCo election into a pageant contest’ as soon as she knew that Yau Wai-ching would run for LegCo Election. The criticisms just go on.

Their hidden agenda is obvious. To put it simpler, they claimed that Yau Wai-ching is but a gift-wrapped candidate. While Yau Wai-ching is only a ‘newbie’ to politics who has not shown her political aspiration, how can people draw to such conclusion of ‘being unqualified’ merely based on her appearance?

Even so, is appearance ever related to an election? Shall only an ugly person be qualified to be elected as a councillor? Putting the line of ‘it’s no offence to be ugly’ from the Cantonese movie The God of Cookery into this case, a pretty face shall never be an offence.

Being pretty or handsome is susceptible to be discredited by opponents. Taking the Canadian PM election as an example, the Conservative Party once launched an attack on Justin Trudeau, teasing him as a 43-year-old ‘cutie’ who was not ready for being the Prime Minister. Trudeau, handsome, tall and rich, yet paid no regards to rumours and slanders and excelled in his campaign, eventually defeated Stephen Harper, the 56-year-old Conservative Party incumbent, and has become the new Prime Minister of Canada.

Sometimes, it is not a big deal for an average Joe to be jealous of a prettier, or better person in private, which is no big deal. Yet, such ill-founded and impolite open criticisms shall not only fail to discredit Yau Wai-ching but also show their own jealousy and grudge. ‘The more the jealousy, the poorer their conduct’.

Atsuna: Hong Kong Is Experiencing a Cultural Revolution

Hong Kong Is Experiencing a Cultural Revolution

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, edited by Gordon C., written by Atsuna
Original: www.passiontimes.hk/article/11-30-2015/27181 

A 15-vote distance: Teacher Jenny Leung Wing-sze lost to a DAB member in the District Council (DC) Election. Life as a secondary school teacher is already hard, especially when the education sector is so mainlandised. But to be so brave to contest in this election, it is only the love she possesses for her home that enabled her to make such a big sacrifice.

Yet, when the battle ended, in some restaurants, when some neighbours heard that she failed, their response was to exclaim, “Serves her right!” I can even imagine the joyous expressions they might have when they would sing “Congratulations and Celebrations”, filled with schadenfreude.

So you thought this must have been the rantings of some uneducated grumpy old fart? I do have some middle-aged colleagues, who might not have a high qualification, but still decent people. But once I heard them slamming, “That is right! Arrest those who mess around! Occupying the streets and they shall all go to hell!” I am utterly shocked that a decent person like her could turn into such a dragon to a stranger. Those who are willing to sleep on streets and be arrested for Hong Kong are more sinned than criminals in their eyes.

Aleksandras Štromas, a Lithuanian dissident, once said, socialism is “a moral rather than an economic or social concept” (Štromas et al., 2003. Totalitarianism and the Prospects for World Order). The Chinese Communist Party has long given up socialism and become a thorough follower of national capitalism, but is still good at carrying out “thought reforms” and forcing their beliefs onto Hongkongers.

(Apple Daily)

Usually, those who think about politics deeply are the minority – especially in a society like Hong Kong (where people seldom read seriously). The majority of the people do have a conscience, but they are too gullible to propaganda. They might be angry once about the Tian'anmen Massacre, but they would also condemn the Occupy Movement, because their moral values are often skewed, thanks to TVB. When CCP has mainstream media in its grip, they form new “moral values”. They will whitewash the corruption and lies above, and smear those who dare to challenge the authority. Freedom fighters are seen as inexcusable rabble rousers in those elderly's eyes – as the hatred sowed on mice in cats' eyes. No wonder they are so angry about the Occupy Movement.

What they did in the Cultural Revolution was also based on moral concept. They claimed that what they criticised are evils and villains. In such a distorted value system, decent and honest people simply had no room to survive, as they had to either leave the country, or die. Lian Yizheng, a columnist on HKEJ, said there are different “rod-and-carrot” systems in the political and economic environment in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Whereas some might not survive if they cannot accommodate this, some might receive carrot when they know how to live well, like how hypocrites are the champion in Mainland Chinese politics. So Hong Kong, Taiwan and China are indeed three different peoples, each with their own cultural heritage.

Xi Jinping shows his preference to Mao, and some even said he is having a small

(nowTV News; Chan Ching-sum)

“Cultural Revolution”. But Hong Kong is under another cultural revolution too! HKSARG spares no efforts to promote “China-Hong Kong integration”. At the end, they want to assimilate the “rod-and-carrot” systems of Hong Kong and China. Gradually, Hong Kong becomes not so talent-oriented; it is those who are shameless enough who are receiving carrots. Lo Chung-mau, who had a thesis credibility crisis, was challenging the “academic standard” of Johannes Chan. Thugs and scoundrels like Chan Ching-sum, Leticia Lee and Man Shek are the ones who rise to fame/notoriety. People seem not to know how bastard those officials are,

(MemeHK)

but fire at those who dare to challenge the authority. This is the “new values” of Hong Kong. But how many people know that our very own “rod-and-carrot” system, the foundation upon which they made a life for themselves, is eroding?

2015 District Council Election: Beware of the Pseudo-umbrella-revolution-supporters

2015 District Council Election: Beware of the Pseudo-umbrella-revolution-supporters

Written by Karen Leung

(Photo by Hong Kong In-media)

(Photo by Hong Kong In-media)

(Photo by Hong Kong In-media)

Under convenient cover of “Umbrella supporters”, eight candidates (Li Chak-sum, Lau Pak-tung, Wan Tsz-fung, Winnie Wun Ki-yan, Vannie Poon Wing-yin, Chan Pak-lun, Lun Man-kit and Lam Chung-shing) of the District Council Election seem to be in an attempt to add to Pro-democratic Camp’s unfavorable position in intense electoral district, namely Hong Kong Island. 

Political platforms can hardly be found on their publications; the candidates are from New Youth Group (NYG) share the same slogan, and some of them even share the same mobile phone number; they never in a single occasion explain their definition of "supporting the Umbrella revolution"; so far, candidates have not revealed their occupations, their sources of financial assistance for elections.

Li Chak-sum, the only one in them who is willing to speak to the media, said the decision competing in Hong Kong Island is to increase awareness.

When Li Chak-sum was asked in an interview of the knowledge about the system of “small-circle election”, Li replied, “I...I...I...know about this of course. Surely I do. It is...formed by an election committee. Maybe there are some problems from the election committee’s system.” Li’s grandmother said in an interview that Li is paid 1.5K to participate in the election and that Li ranks money and business as the top priority.

It naturally calls in question whether Li or the NYG involves in violation of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance. Democratic Party and Civil Party then ask ICAC to look into the matter.

6 for 1 in Lok Tsui, Tuen Mun: Candidate Background

6 for 1 in Lok Tsui, Tuen Mun: Candidate Background

Original article

Albert HO (aged 64):

[2011 - Lok Tsui: 1879 votes/51.3%]

- incumbent district councillor from Democratic Party HK (DPHK) and Legislative Council member

- former chairman of DPHK

- did not support de facto referendum in 2010

- DPHK had a scandal of entering the Chinese Liaison Office in 2010 on the Constitutional Reform

- lives in Hong Kong island

- did not disclose the identity as a director of a company, which owns a property in Happy Valley

- participated in the Chief Executive election in 2012

- surfed on girlies during the Budget in 2014, LegCo

- assisted in a relocation of power boxes on a narrow passageway in Melody Garden

Julius HO (aged 53):

- chairman of Butterflyers

- solicitor; former chairman of Law Society of HK

- claimed himself as a "social worker" without registration

- recently appointed as Director of Lingnan University in October 2015

- said "did not rule out the possibility of dissolving the LingnanU Student Union" despite he does not have such authority

- indigenous inhabitant in Tuen Mun

- was elected as the representative of Leung Tin Village in 2011

- became Chairman of Tuen Mun Rural Committee as he changed the Memorandum and kicked away Lau Wong-fat, thus become member of Heung Yee Kuk and District Council

- obtained 10,805 votes without "political background" in 2012 LegCo election (NT West)

- opposed the declaration of illegal structures plan by Buildings Department and asked the government to change the current law

- criticised Occupy Central

- suggested the criminalisation of "insulting police officer"

- strong rural network as his dad Ho San-wing, a famous rural "gent" in Tuen Mun, established Yan Oi Tong and has good rapport with Lau Wong-fat and Chan Yat-san

YUEN Wai-chung (aged 61):

[2008 LegCo: 1338 votes/lowest in NT West 2008: 32182 votes]

- founded MESSAGE

His duties and platform in 2008:

- giving sermons in secondary schools and Castle Peak Hospital

- chairman of Melody Garden Owners' Committee

- would promote peaceful unification of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau

- would better the political system in China and Hong Kong

- had concerns over the impact of online and printed porn on youngsters

- would fight for the extension of library opening time

Leo SHUM Kam-tim (aged unknown, should be over 50):

[2011 - Lok Tsui: 1477 votes/40.40%]

(did not fill in occupation/political affiliation)

- retired Station Sergeant from the police force

- fully supported by NT Association of Societies, a traditional patriotic organisation

- supported by Choi So-yuk and Tam Yiu-chung from DAB

- former teacher in PAOC Ka Chi Secondary School, a secondary school nearby

Dr. CHENG Chung-tai (aged 32):

- Scholar on sociology with academic interests in Hong Kong society and contemporary Chinese society and culture

- Teaching fellow at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

- Member of localist group Civic Passion and host of various political shows on affiliated online channels

- Lead figure in numerous protests and political campaigns mounted against CY Leung’s government and Beijing

CHEUNG Wing-wai:

[no information found up to 17 Oct 2015]