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Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang speaks to then chief secretary Carrie Lam during a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on October 1, 2015. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
OpinionLetters

Letters | Hong Kong in trouble needs a Lee Kuan Yew figure, but who can fill that role?

Donald Tsang
Letters
Letters
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Many years ago, Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew coined the term “minister mentor” for himself. The Chinese version of the term means a senior statesman and a top political adviser. Hong Kong desperately needs such a person.
Among Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s three predecessors, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is the most suitable candidate but he is conspicuously absent for a good reason. Despite his acquittal by the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Tsang has yet to be fully rehabilitated.

Such a rehabilitation would have to be witnessed by the public in Hong Kong and mainland China, and the world business community. It would not just be compensation for his legal fees but also for the tarnished reputation of the former chief executive, a senior government servant for almost five decades.

It is time for the Lam to get herself a trusted and powerful adviser who can communicate with the top leaders in Beijing and convince Hongkongers that nothing will be done in the next 28 years to alter the Basic Law.

How Lee Kuan Yew quelled protests: a lesson for Carrie Lam

Maybe for the sake of goodwill and smooth administration, it’s time also to renew the Basic Law for another 50 years. Meanwhile, Hong Kong needs a great trouble shooter. Donald Tsang, break a leg.

Khaw Wei Kang, Shenzhen

Could Jasper Tsang build Hong Kong’s bridge with China?

The messages that the central government has been sending over the protests in Hong Kong are just adding fuel to the fire. I find it incomprehensible that our leaders still do not have a grasp of the underlying problems that fuelled this summer of discontent.

These problems show that the central government is totally out of touch with public sentiment and clueless about how to solve things.

We need a mediator who enjoys credibility with all parties concerned. Former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing is the man for the job.

There may be rumours that he is a Communist Party member. He might be pro-Beijing but, above all, he has proven to be a visionary liberal and an experienced bridge-builder.

Hong Kong needs bridge-builders right now and they are apparently not available within the government, unfortunately, and have proven to be not available in the liaison office either.

I’m not sure he’s willing to take up the task, but Jasper Tsang is the best candidate to get us out of this impasse.

Peter den Hartog, Tuen Mun

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