Letters

Witch-hunt against C. Y. is wrong I have lived and worked in this fantastic place called Hong Kong for 16 years between 1978 and 2012, with one continuous period lasting a decade. Never before have I witnessed such pathetic displays of negative immaturity dressed up as democratic expression as we have seen over the past few days with attacks on chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying's so-called illegal structures. If C. Y. was in my home country, New Zealand, these structures would be seen for what they are, minor handyman-type improvements. If I was his neighbour I would have considered C. Y. as a man with drive and initiative and would say well done. Let's not forget, too, that he has been a hard-working, busy man for many years. I am sure that when he purchased his home he would have expected lawyers handling the transaction to check details such as whether structures complied with the law. If [pan-democrat lawmaker] Albert Ho Chun-yan chooses to use his eyes he could drive around Hong Kong and see all manner of questionable structures. This wave of anti-C. Y. activity seems to be driven by an almost childish game of who can find the most and latest fault with our next chief executive. C. Y. Leung should be left alone and given the opportunity to do his best job to make this great place even greater for all Hong Kong people. Gordon Maxwell, Tiu Keng Leng Leung should be role model The controversy over incoming chief executive Leung Chun-ying's illegal structures at his house on The Peak has become more intense. Every Hong Kong citizen has to obey the law and I wonder why we still read about prominent public figures who are in breach of Buildings Department regulations. Leung has set a bad example. As Hong Kong's future leader he should be acting as a role model. He should have been the first prominent figure to have demolished all unauthorised structures in his house. However, after what has happened, surely many Hongkongers will feel they have a good excuse for having illegal structures in their homes. In the future, this could make it more difficult for Buildings Department officials to enforce the relevant regulations. Leung should do his best as head of the Hong Kong SAR to protect the government's integrity and credibility. There is an old Chinese saying, 'If the upper beam is not straight, the lower ones will go aslant'. If the highest beam is not straight how can Leung's administration effectively govern Hong Kong? I suspect he will face challenges to his authority in the Legislative Council from all political parties. Leung must learn to be more prudent in his dealings with the media regarding political issues. He underestimated the seriousness of this issue and of his negligence in dealing with these illegal structures. He should realise he is a public figure and is answerable for his behaviour to the city's seven million citizens. I agree with lawmaker Lau Kong-wah, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, who could not understand 'why Leung did not consider his own situation when [Henry] Tang was embattled in the illegal structure row' during the chief executive campaign ('Leung has an illegal basement at Peak home', June 23). It seems ridiculous that when the story on Henry Tang Ying-yen broke, Leung did not reflect on his own situation. We all have flaws and I hope Hongkongers will forgive Leung, but still call for a more convincing explanation. Candice Cheung, Chai Wan Tsang simply mayor of Hong Kong Guy Lam thinks that the reaction to Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's hotel saga is overblown ('Over-the-top reaction to Tsang's hotel', June 25). However, his comparisons with the Chinese and American leaders' behaviour is not appropriate. Mr Tsang is not a head of state. He is, despite the grandiose title of chief executive, simply the mayor of the city and nothing more. David Chappell, Lamma Outgoing leader did good job Donald Tsang Yam-kuen will conclude his tenure as chief executive at the end of this month. Under his leadership, Hong Kong has embraced many welcome developments, but has also been besieged by a disappointing sluggishness. I think he will be remembered as the chief executive who brought about progress in Hong Kong 's democratic development. He was willing to negotiate with Beijing. This led, at the very least, to a promise of universal suffrage for the top post by the year 2017, in addition to democratic reforms for this year's Legislative Council elections. Economically, we have Mr Tsang to thank for his decisive actions to tackle the financial tsunami in 2008. He introduced various measures, such as full protection of bank deposits and loans to struggling small and medium-sized enterprises, to maintain market confidence and keep the unemployment rate under control. Indeed, unlike many other economies, Hong Kong managed to ride out the crisis largely unscathed, which, in all fairness, was no small achievement for the government. If he should have any regrets, it was that he ignored soaring property prices for far too long and failed to help sufficiently quickly those who could not afford decent housing. The measures that he employed to alleviate the widening wealth gap were cursory at best. And save for the abundance of jobs in the financial and property sectors, opportunities in other industries never really picked up; the so-called 'six new pillar industries' seemed little more than a slogan. Mr Tsang's failures may have overshadowed his policy successes lately, but on the whole I think he did get the job done, the difficult political environment notwithstanding. Let us all wish him well, and keep our fingers crossed that Leung Chun-ying, his successor, will be able to rise to the challenge in the years ahead. Leona Law, Shek Kip Mei Dubious benefits of religion I refer to Paul Letters' article about religion in China ('A little faith in faith could help heal society's troubles', June 21). I agree that people should have the freedom to believe in whatever they choose, even if it is that the moon is made of cheese. However, he quotes a 'renowned Catholic', Tony Blair. This is a man who sent thousands of people to their deaths in Iraq, based on a pack of lies. Since then, it would appear he has 'found' religion, but he is still hardly a flag bearer for a peaceful world. No doubt he is a 'devout' Christian, like other prominent figures such as our flawed chief executive. Letters talks about religion as being 'a social good' that provides 'social cohesion'; the history of the world provides evidence to support the opposite view. Michael Jenkins, Central Low-key security appropriate Bravo to Tom Grundy for attempting to make a citizen's arrest of Tony Blair 'for war crimes' ('Heckler accosts Blair at HKU talk', June 15). I also want to commend University of Hong Kong security and the police for not doing what they do in the US or Britain, and that is take down a peaceful protester like he's a suicide bomber. Blair had ample personal security, so there was no need for heavy-handed tactics. Tony Blair will be brought to justice some day for false claims about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and British soldiers. Harminder Singh, Lai Chi Kok Holding up more than half the sky Your editorial on China's first female astronaut made me reflect ('Woman astronaut can inspire China', June 16). Maybe Mao Zedong got it slightly wrong when he said 'Women hold up half the sky'. Chinese women now hold up a bit more than half the sky. If the Olympics are any indication, the Chinese women, with their medals haul, measure up well against really tough international competition. It is just a matter of time before reality adjusts itself, like in Hong Kong, where 30 years ago, you could walk into any company and it was overwhelmingly male. Walter Tseng, North Point