Controversies are likely to fade into the background
Controversial episodes probably won't jeopardise Leung Chun-ying's leadership but they may plague him for some time, according to a political commentator.
'I don't think the conflict-of-interest controversy about the arts hub design competition will end up as anything big. He gave lawmakers no openings to attack him when he was testifying at a [legislature] hearing,' said Ma Ngok, associate professor of politics at Chinese University.
Leung has been accused of having a conflict of interest with a Malaysian architectural firm that took part in a 2001 design competition for the West Kowloon arts hub.
Leung was a juror in the competition but failed to declare a link with the firm. His surveying company, DTZ, had offered a free valuation service to the Malaysian contestant and was named as its property adviser.
Leung has insisted on his innocence, saying he was not aware of the service provided to the contestant. He said a declaration form was complicated and confused him because he thought it required him to declare conflicts of interest but not all his interests as a company shareholder.
The controversy came to light in January when the government issued a statement about Leung's role in the event. The Legislative Council voted this month to use its special investigative powers to examine the case.
Another controversy expected to linger is an accusation by election rival Henry Tang Ying-yen that Leung favoured the use of riot police and tear gas against protesters in 2003.
Despite Leung's denials, Tang insists Leung suggested to fellow Executive Council members that riot police and tear gas be used to control demonstrations against the Article 23 security legislation, and called for the term of Commercial Radio's licence to be shortened after being criticised by radio hosts.
Tang made his accusations during a televised debate among the three chief executive candidates. That prompted calls, from some lawmakers, for Legco to invoke special powers to investigate whether Leung had made the comments.
Tang provided no evidence for his accusations and risked breaching Exco's rules about confidentiality. Former officials, such as then-secretary for security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee - who was responsible for the security legislation - and former secretary for education Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, said they did not remember hearing any such remarks in Exco.
'It will be very difficult to retrace the conversations,' Ma said. 'Even if he did make such comments, the impact would be comparatively smaller than the conflict-of-interest case. It just shows his conservative thinking.'
Ma expects the early part of Leung's term to be dogged by uncertainty, including a potentially rancorous Legco election in September and increased opposition from powerful pro-government figures who backed Tang's candidacy.
