Withdrawal leaves field wide open as Legco nominations loom

The accounting world is abuzz with more than just talk of balance sheets these days following the surprise decision in April by Legco stalwart and accountancy representative Eric Li Ka-cheung to quit the rough and tumble of politics.

Having held the accountancy fort for 13 years, Mr Li was a dead cert to win yet again. But with Legco election nominations kicking off on Thursday without the political veteran, the field has been thrown wide open.

Having been beaten soundly by Mr Li in three previous elections, nobody could blame Hong Kong Society of Accountants (HKSA) vice-president Edward Chow Kwong-fai for feeling pretty confident.

Mr Chow has shrugged off his previous losses, telling fellow bean counters that his past record simply shows nothing more than his determination to represent accountants.

His dream of winning public office, however, could again turn into a nightmare as one of his opponents is another HKSA vice-president, Paul Chan Mo-po, who runs his own accounting firm and is renowned for his commitment towards a new accounting code for small and medium-sized firms.

Then there are the other challengers to his dream: pro-democracy candidate Mandy Tam Heung-man and the colourful Ronald Kung Yiu-fai, who announced his election ambitions by riding a bike around Golden Bauhinia Square last week.