Chim Pui-chung confirms he will run for chief

Maverick legislator Chim Pui-chung declared yesterday he will run for the chief executive's post and act as a catalyst to spark a genuine race.

But the firebrand stockbroker, nicknamed the 'Angry man from Chiu Chow', hinted that mainland officials had tried to warn him off to keep the election trouble-free for Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who has yet to declare his hand.

Announcing his decision yesterday, Mr Chim admitted he had little hope of winning the race. He added that he would only seriously consider his campaign when he received the required 100 nominations to qualify for a candidacy.

'But I am not here to make fun. Since many politicians said they want to have an election, or even a chance to question the candidates, they know what to do now that I have provided a platform,' he said.

He has already sent invitations to almost all the 800 Election Committee members to nominate him, and said he would publicise their responses next month.

Mr Chim, who had earlier said he would try to find out Beijing's intentions before deciding whether to run, said he had not contacted central government officials over the issue but admitted 'some friends' from the mainland had sought to discourage him.

'Their advice was that I should consider the big picture. I told them I have already taken the big picture into account,' Mr Chim said, adding the public wanted to have a genuine contest.