My Take | Little to build on in real estate Legco race
- Candidates Louis Loong and Howard Chao appear to be out of the same mould as Abraham Razack, the former voice of Big Property, who is stepping down reportedly on Beijing’s orders
Can you spot the difference: Louis Loong Hon-biu, Howard Chao and Abraham Razack? Frankly, I can’t.
After being the faithful servant of the Real Estate Developers Association in the Legislative Council for 21 years, Razack is stepping down, reportedly on Beijing’s orders. So, into the ring for this month’s Legco contest for the real estate corporate seat jump Loong and Chao.
But guess what? Front runner Loong is the chief administrator of the association, which represents most of the big boys of local real estate, and has worked for the group for more than two decades. Chao is considered the upstart and underdog, though he is the son of famous playboy tycoon Cecil Chao Sze-tsung.
Both blame the Hong Kong government for the city’s housing woes. Loong said high home prices were the result of a land supply shortage caused by government red tape.
Chao said: “The Hong Kong government is partly to blame. It’s not decisive or tough enough to provide more housing.”