OpinionUndocumented boy seeking abode in Hong Kong is being used as a political pawn
Albert Cheng says Chan Yuen-han's high-profile approach is not helping the boy's case, but creating divisions among her political rivals as polls near
A 67-year-old woman living on old-age allowance has turned to a pro-Beijing legislator as a last resort to seek right of abode for her grandson. As events unfold, she is probably realising she is in the wrong hands.
Chow Siu-shuen has been taking care of her grandson, Siu Yau-wai, for nine years after his parents abandoned him on the mainland. She brought him to Hong Kong from Shenzhen when he was three using another child's identity and a two-way exit permit, which allows for only a short stay.
She became worried after reading about a 15-year-old girl without legal documentation who jumped to her death last month. Chow is desperate to have Yau-wai's status resolved before she becomes too old to care for him.
The file landed on the lap of lawmaker Chan Yuen-han, a leader of the Federation of Trade Unions. She quickly called a press conference to publicise the case. That was followed by a media tour of a school which agreed to assess the boy's academic aptitude.
Chan has been accused of taking advantage of the weak for her own political gain. In response, the unionist justified the high-profile tactics on the grounds that she wanted to exert maximum pressure on the authorities to act in favour of the pair.
As a former legislator, I am shocked by Chan's insensitivity. The proper way to handle such a request for assistance is first to ascertain the facts. In this case, there is no legal ambiguity. Yau-wai was born in mainland China and his parents are not Hong Kong residents. He is therefore not entitled to permanent residency under the law. Meanwhile, his grandmother is liable to prosecution for harbouring an illegal immigrant.
The only way out is to plead for clemency. Chan should have explained to Chow the possible dire legal consequences and could have alerted the relevant authorities in confidence. This would have given officers more room for manoeuvre while assessing the case. The well-being of the old and the young should take precedence over any political calculations. In this case, their identities should have been kept secret to safeguard their interests.