Public Eye | Public Eye: in trying to muzzle Hong Kong separatists, election officials have given them a boost
Why elevate the cause of political radicals who pose no threat and have little mainstream support?
Why did the government suddenly lob a live grenade into Hong Kong’s political arena? Its intended target is independence advocates vying for seats in September’s Legislative Council elections. But grenades don’t discriminate.
Surely, the government should have known this one will blow everyone up, especially itself. Time-wise it was political insanity for the government to open a new battlefront with self-rule advocates just weeks before the elections.
Did it really think candidates flying the independence flag would obediently sign a declaration that effectively bans them from their rallying cry? They represent hardened separatists who don’t scare easily. The Mong Kok riot, during which their backers hurled bricks and bashed police officers, is testament to that.
Before you pick a political fight, be sure you can win it. The government took a shot at separatists but ended up shooting its own foot
Election officials fired the first shot with a warning that candidates who refuse to sign a new form pledging allegiance to the Basic Law could be barred from running. Those who sign but ignore their pledge could face criminal charges.
Can you imagine the global headlines if candidates are disqualified for wanting to change the constitution? Just imagine the disbelief when images are flashed around the world of elected legislators being arrested for ignoring a pledge not to advocate independence.
Predictably, opposition camp candidates have stuck their middle fingers at election officials. Not only have they refused to sign the form, they have threatened to take the government to court for political censorship. Before you pick a political fight, be sure you can win it. The government took a shot at separatists but ended up shooting its own foot.
Officials have now toned down their earlier tough talk of disqualifications and arrests by cutting some slack for candidates who have defied the new requirement, telling them it’s not legally binding.