Hopefuls spar over livelihood issues, upping ante at Hong Kong Legco poll forums

Candidates in Hong Kong’s coming Legislative Council poll sparred over livelihood issues on the second day of government-led election forums, upping the ante after a sedate first day as a newcomer also challenged an incumbent to account for his record.

In a shift of tempo, the host at the two forums on Wednesday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon for constituencies in the northern New Territories, also reminded candidates that they could express different opinions during the debates.

It was only in the second session in the afternoon that things began to heat up. During the afternoon forum for the New Territories North West constituency, which covers Yuen Long and Tuen Mun, Kam Man-fung of the New People’s Party questioned incumbent Michael Luk Chung-hung of the Federation of Trade Unions, about his efforts to improve Tuen Mun transport connectivity.

The pair and three others – Holden Chow Ho-ding of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), independent Leung Ming-kin and Mark Chong Ho-fung from the Roundtable group – are competing for two Legco seats.

The host asked them during the debate section about solutions to long-term problems in Tuen Mun – traffic congestion, a lack of jobs for young people and limited medical resources.

Kam then asked Luk: “You mentioned that you sat on many Legco panels, but still the Tuen Mun Bypass and Route 11 are nowhere in sight. I wonder what you did on such panels for these two projects?”