Retired judge pulls no punches as he launches bid for Hong Kong’s top job
As Woo Kwok-hing unexpectedly steps into the ring, the hands of would-be contenders may be forced into the fight to become chief executive
Bombshell might be too strong a word, but judging from the reactions of the big-name contenders who have spent months shadow boxing over their intentions to take the Hong Kong leadership crown, former judge Woo Kwok-hing’s unexpected step into the ring has certainly packed a political punch.
While his chances of taking the title would appear remote, the surprise move by the 70 year old – who cut his adversarial teeth in the courtroom and took on the role of referee by heading a host of government commissions of inquiry – looks to have administered a stiff dose of smelling salts to his more illustrious would-be competitors.
Announcing his bid for the top job on Thursday, Woo, who only last Tuesday stepped down as a Deputy High Court Judge, more or less hit his opponents with a straight right to the chin.
“I do not understand why the others were waiting. I was only waiting for my term as the deputy judge to end. What are they waiting for?” Woo said.
Ironically, his move – which no one predicted – bears an eerie similarity to that of the man he aims to unseat when polling day rolls around in March next year.