Hong Kong 'de facto referendum' in doubt as Scholarism pulls back

The split between pan-democratic parties and Scholarism widened yesterday as the student-led group announced it would not take part in the committee spearheading a "de facto referendum" on political reform.

Scholarism's non-involvement in the plan - under which Democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan's resignation from Legislative Council would trigger a by-election - may force the action to be cancelled. Several pan-democrats said it would be difficult to proceed without students' support as the plan was intended to be an "extension" of last year's "umbrella movement".

In a statement released yesterday, Scholarism, led by Joshua Wong Chi-fung, said it would not join the decision-making body of the proposed "de facto referendum" because it wanted to distance itself from pan-democratic lawmakers whom they said were wavering over political reform.

"Scholarism would not join the referendum committee to avoid any constraints in monitoring the pan-democrats ahead of the [legislature's] vote on the political reform package," the statement said.

"We also hold reservations towards the referendum's memorandum, which states that all organisations within the committee have the responsibility … to leave aside all the arguments with the pan-democratic camp."

However, the student-led group said its absence from the decision-making body did not mean pan-democrats should ditch the referendum plan. The statement said Scholarism was "willing" to pledge support for the cause and donate HK$200,000 to the campaign.

Pan-democrats were frustrated by Scholarism's stand which they said was irresponsible, disappointing and turned everyone "upside down".