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Tammy Tam

In hindsight, anyone can be wiser, but that is not for Hong Kong’s political leaders – they had better be wise enough in advance, rather than feel sorry afterwards.
In the face of unprecedented mass protests, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor set aside her tough persona to show remorse as she backed down on her unpopular extradition bill and publicly apologised to “every Hong Kong citizen”.
She promised to do better for the rest of her term, but admitted it would be a very “difficult” three years ahead.
How much wiser the government will be remains to be seen, but Lam sent out the strongest indication that she would not just walk away from the current governing crisis.




To be realistic, as former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing put it, the chief executive is appointed by Beijing, so whether he or she steps down is Beijing’s call.
Whether to stay or leave not being up to her, Lam and her team now need to tackle the critical question of how to move on and run an effective government.
Among all the suggestions and advice pouring in, a common theme is that Lam should do a major cabinet reshuffle to show accountability. But for those who want to see heads roll, there is a practical question: Who should replace whom, and who wants to join a weak government now?
This leads to the more complicated issue of Lam’s political fate.
Top officials plead for chance to rebuild after extradition bill crisis
It must be troublesome for Beijing to be sidetracked from its top priority of dealing with China-US relations, which are at a difficult and worrying juncture.
Where to find an immediately suitable successor to Hong Kong’s chief executive could be an even bigger headache, not to mention the enormous behind-the-scenes coordination and political bargaining that would require if the election process is launched, since a lot of interests’ cheese will be moved around.
Interestingly, many may have noticed by now that a key demand of the protesters – “Lam must step down” – has been dropped from the list that includes calls for the complete withdrawal of the bill and for all riot-related prosecution plans to be scrapped.
For those who want to see heads roll, there is a practical question: Who should replace whom, and who wants to join a weak government now?

Protesters may be wise enough not to ask for the impossible now, but the irony is that while Beijing and Lam can take brief comfort in this, the pro-establishment camp is rather uncomfortable about its future relations with the city’s leader.
Without doubt, the government’s political allies have taken the biggest collateral damage in this saga.
Lam’s stunning U-turn put them in a highly awkward position, as they had been selling the bill on her behalf to their voters, only to have the rug pulled out from under their feet.

That’s why it was not much of a surprise to many when an emotional pro-establishment lawmaker, Alice Mak Mei-kuen, swore at Lam in choice Cantonese in a closed-door meeting, and both were reportedly reduced to tears.
What Mak and the pro-establishment camp are most worried about is that Lam has unwittingly become a powerful secret weapon for their election rivals to bring out in the next polls.
With the November district council elections looming, and next summer’s Legco races to follow, a cynical outlook could be that voters would punish pro-establishment candidates over their earlier staunch support for the bill.

Lam, after the extradition bill debacle, is unlikely to be of much help to her political allies.
Tsang, a veteran pro-Beijing figure, once famously put it this way: “To support the government, [the pro-establishment camp] would face only humiliation but no honour.”
Setting aside the bitterness and recriminations, all sides may do well to bear in mind that one day is a long time in politics.
Following one’s heart while also heeding the voice of reason, and relying less on wisdom in hindsight – that could be the way out.


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Never mind competing with Singapore, Hong Kong needs to engage international stakeholders to get back on world stage

How ‘two systems’ under ‘one country’ can facilitate a full reopening for Hong Kong

Interactions with Beijing have long been a political test for Hong Kong’s leaders – now it’s John Lee’s turn

City Beat

Hong Kong’s extradition bill backlash is a lesson in the need for wisdom in advance, not hindsight

The chief executive is appointed by Beijing, so whether he or she steps down is Beijing’s call too. Photo: Sam Tsang

Peak's district council by-election begin counting ballots of the elected at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre in the Mid-Levels. 26NOV17 SCMP / Edward Wong

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor apologizes to the public for causing "disputes and anxieties in society" during a press conference at the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Admiralty, two days after an estimated 2 millioin people took to the streets calling for retracting the proposed extradition bill amendment. 18JUN19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Carrie Lam had to suspend the unpopular legislation and risks becoming a liability for her allies in upcoming elections
She has promised to do better, but it would help to rely less on wisdom after the fact


Carrie Lam had to suspend the unpopular legislation and risks becoming a liability for her allies in upcoming elections. She has promised to do better, but it would help to rely less on wisdom after the fact.


Hong Kong extradition bill

Carrie Lam

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

City Beat | Hong Kong’s extradition bill backlash is a lesson in the need for wisdom in advance, not hindsight

Carrie Lam had to suspend the unpopular legislation and risks becoming a liability for her allies in upcoming elections She has promised to do better, but it would help to rely less on wisdom after the fact

Carrie Lam had to suspend the unpopular legislation and risks becoming a liability for her allies in upcoming elections

She has promised to do better, but it would help to rely less on wisdom after the fact