DAB chairwoman Starry Lee resigns from Hong Kong Exco, succeeded by party colleague Ip Kwok-him
Head of city’s largest pro-Beijing party dismisses speculation that she quit to run in upcoming chief executive election
The head of Hong Kong’s largest pro-establishment party announced her resignation from Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s cabinet yesterday, dropping a bombshell with her timing at a critical juncture in the city’s political development.
Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, handed in her notice on Tuesday, nearly a year after announcing she would give up her Executive Council.
The seat vacated by the accountant-turned-politician was promptly filled by party colleague and veteran lawmaker Ip Kwok-him.
READ MORE: Starry Lee looks to put DAB in poll position with Executive Council resignation
Lee, 42, said yesterday that she wanted to focus on her work in the Legislative Council and her party.
Her departure from the top policymaking body was expected when she took the helm of the DAB last April, but it still caused a sensation among political circles because of the sensitive timing.
Among all the questions and speculation, some asked whether she was abandoning Leung’s administration amid the political and social turmoil in Hong Kong, including the recent Mong Kok riot.
A person familiar with the situation said Leung and the DAB had discussed the timing of her resignation for a few months.
“The government didn’t want Lee to quit before district council elections in November and last month’s Legco by-election for the New Territories East,” the person said.