Leung Kin-pui, 58, says talk-show host Allen Lee Peng-fei may have had a different reason for quitting than Albert Cheng King-hon and Wong Yuk-man Journey from Mei Foo to Quarry Bay $135.80 Recently, there has been much heated debate on the three radio talk-show hosts leaving the airways. I think it's just a show. It's just an illusion. I don't think there's any political pressure behind it. The most absurd resignation was Allen Lee Peng-fei. I think he just wanted to get people's attention as his political influence in Hong Kong has greatly diminished since 1997. He is a rich man, he did not need the job at the radio station. I think he made a wrong move hosting Commercial Radio's Teacup in a Storm programme because it contradicted his role as a deputy to the National People's Congress. He shouldn't have gone on air. He used to have close contacts with people with money and power. He was a deputy to the NPC. How is it possible for him to oppose or criticise these people on the air waves? It was expected that he would upset these people on the first day he stepped into the studio. But I don't think the central government put pressure on him as his political influence is no longer as significant as before. And look at him in the Legco. I don't think he's under any pressure. He seemed to be fine and very relaxed. He showed no embarrassment. There was no hint showing he was frightened. Mr Lee successfully drew people's attention from the resignations of Mr Cheng and Mr Wong to himself. He does not want to be left out of the political scene. He showed to the world that freedom of speech was threatened in Hong Kong and people in Hong Kong had no protection at all. Albert Cheng King-hon and Wong Yuk-man were good at opposing and criticising people because that's their job. But that's not the case for Mr Lee. He was not in a position to oppose people simply because of his political background. I also don't think Albert Cheng and Mr Wong were under political pressure because they had been doing the job for a very long time. If there was pressure, they should have sensed it earlier. I think Mr Cheng was aware that he had made too many enemies as he criticised people too much on his programme. He even criticised his own friends. He was so used to judging people that he couldn't stop himself. It was good he decided to go off air for a while. I loved to listen to Mr Cheng's programme. I tried to phone in twice but he didn't put me on air, probably because he knew I disagreed with him. I think the resignations will help the Democratic Party gain more votes in the Legco election. Mr Cheng is obviously not neutral. He is biased towards the Democratic Party. I think we need the Democratic Party to keep a balance against communism in our community. I understand public figures are always being harassed. Everyone has a price to pay for their job. It's unavoidable. But some people may have to pay more. If you want to bring about a political revolution, there's a possibility that you have to sacrifice everything. Revolution will not succeed if people just talk in Legco, go on to the streets or take part in any other kinds of demonstration. History shows people have to sacrifice, even their lives. But I think a lot of the people who claim they are fighting for the interests of Hong Kong are actually fighting for themselves. Hong Kong people should unite for the benefit of Hong Kong. We should work hand in hand to revive our economy and boost the economy on the mainland. After all, we are of the same country.
