Fit to be called democrats?

When the proposals for selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage were released on April 22, many people asked me whether I would be doing district visits, and tried to read into my reply. I said that I visited the districts quite often and it wasn't hard for me to do so, although my colleagues in the Police Force would have a tough job.

Three years ago, when I was still the Chief Executive-elect, I visited Laguna City in Kwun Tong. Mr Andrew To, still with the League of Social Democrats at that time, put a toy knife to my neck and spat questions at me. I continued to conduct district visits after that incident.

In recent years, whenever government officials have conducted district visits, protesters have gone after them in a violent manner. Last night, when some people heard that the three members of the "political reform team", namely the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC; and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, were to visit Mei Foo, they turned up at the venue and prepared to lay an ambush. When the protesters saw me appear without prior announcement, they sprang into action to sabotage the visit. This shows that some people are afraid to let government officials get in touch with the public.

I will definitely continue to do district visits and communicate face to face with the public.

Last night in Mei Foo, I noticed a bunch of young people who looked like students flashing their middle fingers and shouting foul language at the side of the venue. Rather than engaging in rational discussions, they resorted to extremely foul language and loud noise. This reminds me of the incident that happened at Lingnan University a few days ago, in which someone sang a song laden with expletives to insult the Police. These uncivilised people care about nothing but venting their emotions. Are they fit to be called democrats?

April 23, 2015