Illegal building works may be ticking time bomb for Carrie Lam
Albert Cheng says the chief secretary must clear perceptions of double standards in tackling unauthorised building works in the New Territories, if she is to make a credible bid for chief executive
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is poised to inherit the unholy political alliance between the central government’s liaison office and the Chief Executive’s Office in Leung Chun-ying’s time, now that Leung won’t be seeking a second term.
Lam’s disgraced former boss Rafael Hui Si-yan has praised her as a “tough fighter” but, in fact, her performance in government for the past decade or so has left much to be desired.
Lam staged a visit to Beijing under the pretext of cultural exchange. The pro-government media obligingly created the false impression that she would be received by high officials of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and even national leaders.
People in Hong Kong certainly have no clue whether or not she will get the blessing of the ruling camp led by President Xi Jinping (習近平). Yet, judging from her welcome, she was conspicuously tossed aside. There were no core Chinese officials present or any respectable formal reception for her. The illusion of Lam being the chosen one has been shattered.
