Ex-People Power activist may take on its founder
A former People Power activist is threatening to split the group's support by running against ex-ally and radical stalwart Wong Yuk-man in September's election.
Edward Yum Liang-hsien is best known as the 'Victoria Park Brother' for his fiery and outspoken contributions on the RTHK Sunday programme City Forum. But he appeared for his interview with the South China Morning Post in a black suit and tie and carrying a black attache case - attire fit for a finance professional.
He will probably run against Wong in Kowloon West, he said. Yum left People Power last month and said he would decide this week whether to run as an independent.
He plans to canvass with Wan Chai district councillor Pamela Peck Wan-kam, a well-known critic of Wong's disruptive antics during Legislative Council meetings. She is a a surprise candidate for one of the five new 'super seats' in the functional constituency for district councils.
The fight between former allies Yum and Wong may split the party's supporters in Kowloon West and undermine Wong's election hopes. Wong entered his four-member ticket on Thursday, vowing to attack what he called 'pseudo pan-democrats'. His protege, Wong Yeung-tat, will run in Kowloon East.
Keen to distinguish himself from Wong's radical activities, Yum emphasised his role as a sales director for a foreign independent trustee called Amicorp. He will campaign as a young banker, hoping to draw votes from the educated middle-class.
If elected as a lawmaker, he promised not to make any radical moves in the legislature, such as throwing things in protest. 'Everyone understands my political affinity already. My platform this time will focus a lot on the economic and financial fields,' Yum said. 'This is a major difference from Wong, as People Power is overly keen on welfarism.'
Yum and Wong were members of the League of Social Democrats, with Yum widely regarded as Wong's favourite pupil. When an internal struggle broke out in the party in January last year, Wong, Yum and others split away and formed People Power.
But Yum and Wong drifted apart after Yum, once the rising star, was arrested on suspicion of rape and indecent assault in December 2010. The allegations were dropped, but there were reports suggesting Wong abandoned Yum soon after, taking on new 'pupil' Wong Yeung-tat.
In the interview, Yum said he had always been conservative on economic issues, which is one reason why he quit People Power. Another reason was his objection to the party's attack on fellow pan-democrats such as the Civic Party and League of Social Democrats.
'I agree that the Democratic Party should be attacked, as they supported the controversial political reform proposal in 2010, but I cannot accept the way the party chose to attack these two allies,' he said.
'What happened to me in the past were great lessons, and I hope voters can look at the new 'Victoria Park Brother' and get a better understanding of me and my platform', he said.
