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Legco oath-taking saga
Hong KongPolitics

Daunted by legal costs, unseated Hong Kong lawmakers may focus on by-elections instead of appeals

But ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung says it is crucial to bring case to Court of Final Appeal despite potential HK$3 million loss

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(From left) Leung Kwok-hung, Edward Yiu Chung-yim, Lau Siu-lai and Nathan Law Kwun-chung were disqualified over their oaths taken in October. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Jeffie LamandKimmy Chung

Hong Kong’s opposition camp appears to be adopting a strategy of pragmatism as it plots a comeback after the crippling blow it suffered when a court disqualified four of its lawmakers for improper oath-taking.

Only one of them is strongly leaning towards lodging an appeal, while the other three have yet to decide, though the prospect of massive legal fees worries them.

The focus is now on winning back the seats they lost through by-elections.

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A weakened pro-democracy bloc in the Legislative Council is also expected tomorrow to back a funding request for HK$3.6 billion to boost the education sector, ­despite seeing the removal of the four from Legco as a “declaration of war” by the government.

Last Friday, the High Court stripped lawmakers “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, Lau Siu-lai, Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Edward Yiu Chung-yim of their seats for improper oath-taking. The court action was orchestrated by former chief executive Leung Chun-ying.
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Leung Kwok-hung yesterday said it was crucial for them to take their case to the Court of Final Appeal, but admitted that the legal costs could be a formidable obstacle.

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