Not for Hong Kong justice chief to decide if ousted lawmakers can run in by-elections, pan-dems say

Their assertion came after the embattled Secretary for Justice, Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, said on Sunday she was looking into legal issues involving Edward Yiu Chung-yim.

Yiu, one of six pro-democracy lawmakers disqualified last year for improper oath taking, is eyeing a comeback, having signed up to run in the Kowloon West constituency by-election set for March 11.

The former architectural sector representative officially handed in his nomination on Saturday and signed a declaration that he would uphold the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, and accept Hong Kong as an inalienable part of China. However, his candidacy has yet to be confirmed.

“The justice secretary, who is a political appointee, has a conflict of interest in the issue, as there are ongoing appeals cases concerning the disqualification of lawmakers,” legal sector lawmaker Dennis Kwok said on Wednesday. Kwok was referring to appeals lodged by Lau Siu-lai and “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, who were both ousted from the Legislative Council last year.

Cheng is facing her own controversy as lawmakers have urged her to explain illegal structures found at her residential properties.