The way in which Tung Chee-hwa has resigned borders on the farcical. His administration has often been accused of operating in a black box, keeping the public in the dark. Ironically, he did it again, one last time, even as he quit.
The news that he was going first surfaced on March 1. In response, Mr Tung remained silent until Thursday. He again chose to ignore the elected representatives and failed to explain his case to the Legislative Council.
The assembly is meant to be the voice of the people. Ironically, its president, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, has failed to facilitate a Legco debate on the biggest political topic since the 1997 handover. Indeed, she rejected members' requests three times for an adjournment debate on the issue before Mr Tung's formal announcement.
After Mr Tung held his last press conference, Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat tried again for a special meeting to be held. Mrs Fan ruled that there were 'insufficient grounds' to justify it. Her ruling is absurd; there is no issue that is more important at the moment.
Mr Tung used ill health as a lame excuse to justify his premature exit. He made no reference to his major policy mistakes. But Beijing is obviously determined to put an end to the ineffective government in Hong Kong.
The demand to oust Mr Tung was loud and clear. His departure should have been a victory for the people, but, unfortunately, Beijing's fingerprints are all over his supposedly voluntary resignation. This has dealt a heavy blow to the democratic cause and the pledge of 'one country, two systems'. Moreover, the much criticised and undemocratic 'small-circle' election method will still be used for picking Mr Tung's successor.
Beijing's choice of the popular Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is a show of respect for public opinion. Yet, it does not change the ridiculous fact that only 800 Election Committee members are privileged to vote in the chief executive poll.
