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Ng Kang-chung

A key rural elder behind a failed bid to form a new political party representing rural interests has indicated he could run as an independent for a seat in the Legislative Council in September.
The idea by Bowie Hau Chi-keung, Sheung Shui rural committee chairman, to run this autumn arose as “unspeakably heavy pressure” was exerted on him and fellow village leaders when they sought to form their own political party, sources told the Post.
It was understood Beijing had reservations about the planned party.
Split emerges among Hong Kong rural leaders over plan for a new party
Hau last month was forced to abort a planned inauguration ceremony of his New Progressive Alliance, claiming the political party was still waiting for the government’s formal approval of its registration.
Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Heung Yee Kuk chairman and an active organiser of the party, recently changed his earlier stance on its formation and said he had no plans to take up any post allying with Hau.
Kuk vice-chairman Daniel Lam Wai-keung also sought to distance himself from the party, saying he would like to remain “politically neutral” and would not join. He added it was too early to say if the kuk would support candidates fielded by Hau’s party if it eventually came to be and fielded a candidate.
The kuk is a government-recognised advisory body on rural affairs.
A kuk leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “pressure is unspeakably heavy” on those advocating the party’s formation and that “the Beijing Liaison Office is not happy”.
Heung Yee Kuk eyes political party for New Territories villagers
Another kuk source said the office responsible for coordinating a variety of state matters in Hong Kong “gave some ridiculous reasons” for its opposition, “including fears that the rural force would get more uncontrollable”.
Officers from the office were understood to have met Hau several times to discuss his plan, urging him to reconsider over fears the party could split the pro-establishment camp.
Hau conceded he faced “pressure from all sides” but declined to elaborate.
“Some people say we can’t win anyway in the elections,” he said. “I just wonder why we can’t be allowed a chance to try.”
Hau did not rule out running in September if the party could not be formed, saying he wanted “to do something to serve society” and that such service could “still be done without a party banner”.
“We are powerless, like ants,” he said. “But if we can get united and form a force to support a candidate who can speak for the people and voice their concern, we can still win.”
At present a Liberal Party member, Hau said he had applied to quit the party and that his application was not yet processed.
Beijing’s blessing last step for powerful rural Hong Kong group to form new political party
Kingsley Sit Ho-yin, director of think tank Heung Yee Kuk Research Centre, said the idea behind forming a party was not solely Hau’s but reflected the consensus of rural leaders when Lau met them last year.
Based on the findings following the kuk chairman’s visits to the 27 rural committees, the centre wrote up a report in which it backed the formation of a new party for the New Territories villagers.
Sit said some 20,000 people had signed applications to become a member of the new party.
“If you now tell me we’re not allowed to form a party, I can’t imagine how these 20,000 people would react,” he said. “Even the pro-independence people are having their political groups. Why can’t we?”
The kuk has been an important pro-establishment political force, instrumental in mobilising villagers to support candidates from pro-government political parties. But there have been rows between it and the government over the small-house policy as well as plans to develop rural areas.
Rural leaders have also expressed growing dissatisfaction that some allies in the pro-establishment camp have not always spoken up for villagers’ interests.
Under the present system, the kuk is allocated a seat in the Legislative Council.


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Hau, appearing at a forum in Kowloon City last month, describes villagers as “powerless, like ants”. Photo: Edward Wong

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Hong Kong

Politics

Sources tell Post of growing discontent among village residents after pro-establishment figures stymie proposed new political party
