I'll fight cancer optimistically, Szeto says
Veteran Democrat Szeto Wah, who has late-stage lung cancer, says he will fight it optimistically.
It is the first time that Szeto, 78, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, has spoken publicly since reports that he had cancer appeared on Saturday, and hours after Beijing-friendly independent lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee called on the central government to return his home return permit.The head of Beijing loyalist party the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, also said he could help.
But Szeto, whose permit was not renewed by Beijing when he applied for renewal many years ago, and who has said he wants to visit a number of historic and scenic spots across the border, said their words came too late and were hypocritical.
Ip said yesterday she hoped the central government could reissue Szeto with a permit to allow him to travel and receive treatment.
'If Uncle Wah wants to go to the mainland, I hope he can have the permit to let him see what he wants to see.'DAB chairman Tam Yiu-chung, said yesterday his party could reflect Szeto's wishes to the mainland.
Szeto told TVB: 'Why haven't they spoken for me over the past 20 years when I did not have the permit? This is a citizen's right that I am entitled to have. Now they know I'm sick, guessing that I don't have too many days to live ... they speak for me about reclaiming the permit. But now I'm sick. How can I travel? They're seemingly taking advantage.'
Despite his illness, he said he would fight the cancer optimistically and he would do calligraphy on traditional greetings as usual for the alliance's stall at the Lunar New Year fair in Victoria Park. He also expects to meet the media on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Ip and her think tank will support the government's proposal for reforming the Legislative Council in 2012 by adding five seats for district councillors - but only if the voting method is acceptable.
Ip, who also chairs the Savantas Policy Institute, yesterday publicised her submission for political reform in Hong Kong.
She confirmed her commitment to abolishing functional constituencies but also recognised that current political reality may mean accepting the government's proposal. The government launched a political reform consultation - which ends later this month - seeking views on democratising the chief executive and Legco elections in 2012.
The consultation document contains a proposal to increase the number of Legco seats by 10 to 70, with the functional constituencies gaining five additional seats - to be returned through election among district councillors.
