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After gaffes, Carrie Lam admits she can be ‘clumsy’ but claims others call her ‘smart at work’

Poll rivals out and about lobbying Election Committee groups, as former chief secretary rejects idea of central government canvassing for her

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Carrie Lam at the Well-wishing Festival in Lam Tsuen. Her gaffes, involving a beggar and an apparent inability to use the MTR, had drawn criticism. Photo: Nora Tam

Chief executive hopeful Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor admitted being “rather clumsy” after a series of public gaffes, but claimed colleagues see her as “smart at work”.

The city’s former No 2 official also said she would make more use of social media, on the same day her rivals John Tsang Chun-wah and Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee were out on the campaign trail.

Despite her lighthearted defence of her missteps, she sternly denied suggestions of mainland envoys at the central government liaison office secretly canvassing for her. Speaking to TVB on Sunday, Lam said no organisation could manipulate the election.

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She had been ridiculed recently for apparently not knowing how to handle basic matters of Hong Kong life. But she said: “[The gaffes] had nothing to do with my colleagues in the election campaign office, all because of me.”

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Carrie Lam with her husband and sons. Photo: Handout
Carrie Lam with her husband and sons. Photo: Handout
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