Ip picks biases that suit her purpose
It is probably not surprising that Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee's views on discrimination are a little unbalanced. While she has been vocal in encouraging Hong Kong people not to be prejudiced against mainland tourists in the recent "locusts" debate, it appears she is unashamed in her clearly discriminatory views on Filipino helpers and their "sexually predatory/social climbing" ways ("Ip stands by 'seductive' maids claim", April 18).
Her latter views appear to rely solely on anecdotal stories of expat women who have sought her assistance to protect their marriages from these "evil helpers".
The reality, based on more than just a few stories, is that women who have no power and no money (and, in small Hong Kong apartments, no privacy), are much more likely to be victims of abuse than cunning manipulators.
However, as mentioned, this imbalance in views is not unexpected. Ip needs to keep her northern bosses happy - because their nod is critical to her bid to be Hong Kong's next chief executive. And finding a minority group upon which to heap prejudice in order to distract people from their domestic woes is always a good ploy to get votes.
Let's just hope Hong Kong people want a leader with more consistent values.
Kym Fortescue, Wan Chai