1. Do you think the chief executive should be returned by universal suffrage in 2007? 2. Do you think all Legco seats should be returned by universal suffrage in 2008? 3. Do you support Tung Chee-hwa standing in the next chief executive poll? If not, who do you think would be a better candidate? 4. Do you think that soccer gambling should be legalised? 5. Do you think a sales tax should be introduced? 6. If Mr Tung were to take part in Who wants to be a Millionaire? what $1 million question would you ask him? 7. Among Mr Tung's team of principal officials, who do you think is the Weakest Link to him and should be removed, as in the TV quiz show? 8. Do you think the method used by the comic book Broom-head, which poked fun at the appearance of Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, is 'humiliating to all women' and amounted to 'sexist ridicule'? 9. Name one strength of each of your two election rivals. 10. Name one of your weaknesses. 11. Will you run in the next Legco election and, if so, through which channel? Dr Thomas Chan Man-hung Age: 52 First-time Legco candidate and director of the China Business Centre at Polytechnic University. Former member of the Meeting Point political group and the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China. 1. Yes. It should be so in 2007. But it's impossible to make it [in 2007] because it would involve amending the [political] system. It can only be achieved after the review of political reform in 2007. 2. In principle, it should be so. But a degree of flexibility should be allowed - the ratio of directly elected seats should be increased to make them become the majority in the legislature, and the number of functional seats can be decided after discussion. These functional seats must be returned by direct elections rather than by consultation. 3. As an Election Committee member, I will not support Mr Tung if he doesn't change his way of administration and his policies . . . But even if he changes, I will see whether there are other candidates and, if so, make comparisons to see who is best. 4. I don't agree with it. Legalising soccer gambling would monopolise such an industry and promote it among the community. 5. It should not be introduced when the economy has yet to recover as it will strike a blow to the community's propensity to spend . . . It will only hurt the economy. 6. Which of these cannot help Hong Kong boost competitiveness and economic growth? a) Co-operating with the Pearl River Delta. b) Stimulating consumption and creating more jobs. c) Increasing the wage rate. d) Depreciation. The correct answer should be 'd'. 7. The point is that [he is] not relying on the work of principal officials but on team work . . . I don't think it would make any difference to remove anyone and I don't think there is anyone who warrants immediate removal. 8. I don't consider it to be absolutely so. This is a consequence of her policies rather than the fact that she is a woman. I don't find it [the book] to be humiliating to all women. 9. Ho Sai-chu knows a lot of people within the business community. Ma Fung-kwok has some leftist background. 10. I don't have long-term frequent social contacts with Election Committee members. 11. I won't stand for the next Legco elections. My goal in the coming poll is to focus on the structural economic problems in Hong Kong over the next few years. Ma Fung-kwok Age: 46 Film distributor. Mr Ma is a non-affiliated ex-legislator from the New Century Forum and a member of the Cultural Commission. 1. No. Why should it be 2007? It's unnecessary to definitely set it for that year. As mentioned in my election platform, I agree that all Legco seats and the chief executive should be returned by universal suffrage in the long run. But one important precondition is that it should be done only when there is a consensus within the community. 2. The ratio of directly elected seats should be increased in a gradual manner, with the ultimate goal that all Legco seats be returned by direct elections. But it's unnecessary to say all seats should be returned on a particular date. 3. It's difficult to say who is a better candidate until he or she becomes a hopeful. One can't assume that he will be the only candidate. 4. I oppose the idea. I believe the price the community will have to pay and the social costs involved in remedying the problems coupled with legalisation of soccer gambling will outweigh the benefits. 5. A sales tax is a relatively fair tax. But it's definitely not a good time to introduce it. In the long run, one should not resist considering it when examining how to broaden the tax base. 6. What do you think is the best policy to salvage Hong Kong's economy? a) Increase taxes. b) Reduce taxes. c) Blend with the Pearl River Delta as soon as possible. d) Speed up infrastructural projects. There is no definite correct answer. I would seek help from the Lifeline. 7. I don't want to pinpoint anyone. 8. Our society should at least respect others. It's a cultural problem. If you ask me whether it is good, I will definitely reply in the negative. As to whether the book is humiliating or amounts to sexist ridicule, I dare not say one way or the other as I have not read it. But it amounted to disrespect. 9. I will not comment on my election rivals as we are competing. 10. My weakness is that I am relatively low profile. Many people find me to be pragmatic. Although I am in showbiz, I prefer to be low-profile. That can be a weakness. 11. Most probably I will stand in the next Legco poll via direct elections. But nothing is definite. Ho Sai-chu Age: 64 Businessman and former Liberal Party legislator. A delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. 1. According to the Basic Law, the chief executive polls next year and in 2007 should be returned by the 800-member Election Committee. If the mini-constitution is so written, it's meaningless for us to argue on it. We should concentrate our efforts on how to improve our economy. 2. According to the mini-constitution, there will be a review in 2007 on the pace of democracy . . . I have no quarrel that discussion should begin in 2004-2005, but as to whether all Legco seats should be directly elected, there must be a discussion within the community to decide on the way forward. 3. The answer hinges on whether there is a more suitable candidate who is willing to stand. I can't see one at the moment. 4. It's a question about morals and the pragmatic issue of how to control something which can't be contained. From a moral point of view, I don't agree with the legalisation of soccer betting . . . Why can't we conduct a referendum to decide? 5. I oppose the introduction of such a tax. It's pointless to do so because it would make prices of goods more expensive at a time when the propensity to spend is already so low. 6. I would ask him: 'Mr Tung, what do you think the public considers to be of paramount importance?' a) To maintain good relations between the Central Government and Hong Kong. b) Rule of law. c) To solve the unemployment problem. d) To speed up the pace of democratisation so that all Legco seats will be returned by universal suffrage.' The answer is of course 'c'. 7. I would not say who is the worst. But I think the housing policy has long been chaotic and there is room for improvement. 8. I feel certain parts may be discriminatory. For example, one can criticise her policies but it's not proper to criticise her figure and her looks. It gives people the impression it was targeting her sex. 9. Chan Man-hung's forte is that he is a scholar. Ma Fung-kwok's forte may be on the performing arts. 10. My weakness may be that I have not said what I will do in three years' time. 11. I have not yet thought about my way forward in the next Legco poll. I feel it's high time for me to concentrate on my electioneering work.
