Pro-democracy legislators yesterday demanded that Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai quit as a deputy to the National People's Congress if she is re-elected Legco president. They claim her role in the NPC has affected her impartiality in the past. But despite coming under heavy criticism during a debate with Democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan, who is also running for the post, Mrs Fan dismissed the accusation and rejected the call to resign. Mrs Fan - a pro-Beijing stalwart - was severely criticised by legislators during yesterday's forum over her decision in May to stop the pro-democracy camp moving a motion to 'strongly condemn' the NPC Standing Committee for ruling out universal suffrage by 2007. She was also accused of being biased when she failed to convene an emergency meeting ahead of the NPC's interpretation of the Basic Law over constitutional reform in April. Emily Lau Wai-hing, of The Frontier, said Mrs Fan would have no choice but to quit her NPC seat if she wanted to 'keep public trust and the president's credibility'. Unionist Lee Cheuk-yan said: 'If you don't quit the NPC, how can people know you are not biased? How can we know whether you are for the interests of the NPC or the interests of Hong Kong when you ban people criticising the NPC again in the future?' But Mrs Fan insisted there was no conflict of interest in wearing both hats. 'There is nothing I can do if I can't make you believe me,' she said. Mr Ho, who has a slim chance of success because of the pro-government majority in the legislature, said he was unhappy about Mrs Fan's previous rulings. He said she had been biased towards Beijing and the government and was too conservative when ruling what debate items could be put on the agenda. 'How can you be president when you do not use your discretionary power? Your way of thinking is too conservative and too pro-government,' Mr Ho said. But Mrs Fan said she had always followed the Legco house rules and tried to be impartial. Both Mr Ho and Mrs Fan said they would help to improve communications between the democrats and Beijing if they were elected. But Mrs Fan warned she would achieve little if people kept demanding the end of one-party rule on the mainland. The 60 legislators-elect will choose the president tomorrow.
