Just as public interest in the sex scandal involving Democratic Party lawmaker Kam Nai-wai was fading, the alleged victim suddenly came forward last week to give her first public account of the case. The Legislative Council is due to close the case today following a proposed motion to scrap an internal probe.
Kam was said to have sacked his assistant, Kimmie Wong Lai-chu, in September after she rejected his advances. He had earlier insisted that he sacked her because she had an attitude problem, but later apologised to her and his wife.
The legislature had wanted to halt its internal investigation after being told that Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor had been informed by Wong's lawyer that she would not testify in Legco.
Wong's unexpected move has again shone the spotlight on the case, drumming up intense interest, and pointing the accusatory finger at the Democratic Party as well as Kam. If Wong's claims could be substantiated, not only would there be a strong case of sexual harassment against Kam, the credibility of some senior party members would also be seriously affected.
Wong explained in her statement that she had decided to make public her account of the incident because she wanted to draw a line under the case and resolve the issue with a 'forgiving attitude', but with no intention of taking the matter further.
Wong was said to have been emotionally disturbed after the alleged incident, and did not want to face the media as she feared the case would have been distorted by press reports, causing her further embarrassment. So, it was totally understandable that she initially refused to make public her account or assist Legco with its special investigation.
The contradictory point is that, on the one hand, Wong has repeatedly refused to help any formal investigation, leaving the case unresolved. Yet, on the other, she has chosen to disclose her version of the incident to allay further speculation. As a result, we are stuck with a case that has an accused, but no accuser; hence, we will never be able to substantiate the claims. So, even with Wong's public statement, it would be futile for Legco to push for an investigation.
