Newly elected lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun claims he is standing true to his independent status despite his intention to team up with other legislators to form a coalition seen as likely to be friendly with Beijing, though not supportive of Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. The maverick lawyer is one of a small number of non-affiliated lawmakers whose political stance is under scrutiny as to whether they will side with the pan-democratic or the Beijing-loyalist camps on big issues such as constitutional development. 'I do not belong to either the pro-democracy camp or the Beijing-loyalist camp,' the self-styled 'Superman' said. 'I prefer to stay flexible, even though some people may label me as a fence-sitter.' Mr Tse defeated his main rival, Joseph Tung Yao-chung of the Liberal Party, by just nine ballots. 'As a truly responsible legislator, I will make my own decision after a full study of all the facts. I am not one of those who blindly vote for the government when it lobbies for support from the legislature.' Despite his 'flexible' political stance, Mr Tse agreed to a move initiated by his friend, independent lawmaker Chim Pui-chung, to line up with other independent lawmakers to boost their bargaining power in the Legislative Council. 'The group's principle of non-binding votes in Legco meetings is very important as this will only be an informal group,' he said. 'I will not join if it binds all members to cast the same votes.' Teaming up at least seven independent lawmakers from both geographical and functional constituencies could help create other voices and raise issues in Legco and the community, Mr Tse added. The lawyer is best known for incurring the wrath of the Law Society after appearing almost nude on the cover of a local magazine in 1999. The following year, accompanied by his partner, former agony aunt Pamela Pak Wan-kam, Mr Tse donned a hot-pink Superman costume in an unsuccessful bid to win a directly elected seat. 'Superman' does not rule out surprising the public in the future, saying that he could handle unfairness and important problems in an 'outstanding' way. However, Mr Tse said he would be more cautious after taking up the post of legislator. 'I have to make sure that I will not let my constituency and my supporters down.'
