Hong Kong politician Regina Ip puts diamond Rolex up as part of HK$1 million vaccination lottery for members, ‘friends’ of her party
- In addition to the Rolex, the New People’s Party will also be giving away rare tea, cash vouchers and electronics to its members and those who register as its ‘friends’
- Party chairwoman Ip dismisses questions as to the motives behind the giveaway, saying it has ‘nothing to do with’ coming elections
Jumping on a bandwagon that has seen businesses announce more than HK$110 million (US$14.2 million) worth of giveaways and lotteries for inoculated Hongkongers, the New People’s Party announced on Wednesday that it would be offering up some HK$1 million in prizes of its own, including jewellery, rare Da Hong Pao tea leaves, HK$10,000 cash vouchers and electronics.
Brushing off questions from reporters as to her motives on Wednesday, party chairwoman Ip denied the lucky draw was aimed at drumming up support in the coming chief executive and Legislative Council races, saying it had “nothing to do with these things”.
“Hong Kong’s voters are very smart, and they won’t vote for you just because of your gifts,” Ip said, insisting the goal of the lottery was simply to get locals vaccinated.
“Although I think our prizes are quite attractive, they are small in number, so we thought it would be better to limit the eligible people to those who have connections with us. You can just join as a friend; no political commitment.”
The US$14.5 million in lottery prizes, perks for vaccinated Hongkongers
Ip said the party currently had about 30,000 people who had registered as friends. Online registration for the party’s lotteries will open on June 29.
Referring to the watch she was putting up, Ip said she had bought the diamond Rolex, manufactured in 1991, for US$10,000 (HK$77,600).
“I believe its value has gone up a lot,” she added.
Separately, Dream Cruises, operator of the Genting Dream, also announced on Wednesday it was rolling out the “Go! Super Seacation Sweepstakes”, with prizes worth a total of nearly HK$4 million up for grabs.
The grand prize is an annual cruise pass valued at HK$3.8 million, while one other winner will get a two-night voyage aboard the Genting Dream worth more than HK$100,000. Three others will win two-night cruises valued at HK$54,000.
Hongkong Land, meanwhile, also announced new cash rewards of up to HK$3,800 and as many as four days’ leave to encourage their staff to get vaccinated.
Local vaccination bookings have risen as the giveaways pile up, but as of Tuesday, only 15 per cent of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people had received both doses of a coronavirus shot.
