Angry Young Men

You may not know it, but this is a big election year in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive election happens late next month and district council elections will be held by the end of the year. In theory, politics should be a hot topic right now.

But it’s not too exciting when the only people who seem to care enough to run for anything are veterans like Martin Lee Chu-ming, Chan Yuen-hang and virtual shoe-in, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. Outside of journalists and politicians themselves, there seems to be little interest in the races this year. Recent graduates, in particular, have no reason to get involved – you can’t make good money in politics.

But that is changing. Since the handover, people have been more concerned about Hong Kong's political situation and taking an active role in changing it, according to veteran politician and honorary politics professor at Chinese University, Andrew Wong Wang-fat. There is a new breed of politicians emerging. Sure, only few have ambitions as grand as running for Chief Executive. Most simply have a genuine passion to help people out and make a difference.

Take Sai Kung district councillor Raymond Ho Man-kit as an example. His inspiration to run in 1999 at the age of 23 was from a mere drinking fountain. Ho’s Form-Three classmates needed a water fountain next to the basketball court. He wrote a letter to the headmaster and a drinking fountain was installed soon after. “It’s just that simple. If someone needs help, you voice it out – and it actually works,” he says.

Yeah, it’s just that simple. Ho could have done anything after college - he could be making a lot more money than the humble pay of a district councillor at $18,000 per month. But he just wants to help others – so even after he lost the District Council Election in 1999, he never stopped community work and eventually won his seat in Sai Kung in 2003.

It’s the same case with Tsuen Wan district councillor Wong Ka-wa. The 35-year-old gave up his high-paid logistics job to win a seat in 2003 representing Lei Muk Shue Estate, where he has lived for three decades. His duties include 5am plumbing repair for his neighbours. Nobody said it would be glamorous, but to him, that is just a part of his duties. “I love this estate and so many people have seen me grow up here,” he says. “The only problem is they all know where I live.”

Both Ho and Wong are driven to help those around them, but the fact that many young politicians choose to stay at the district level shows a problem with our political system, says Professor Wong. He says the system does not allow a ruling party, as the government ministers are handpicked and the Chief Executive has to be non-partisan, giving up their party once elected. This leaves little room for political parties to develop. “The old ones are always there because they can only survive by getting re-elected,” he says. “So the seats might never be vacant for the young ones, who can’t see how they can go far.”