Tributes pour in for legendary Hong Kong activist and campaigner Elsie Tu, who died aged 102
Praise pours in from across the political spectrum for English-born lawmaker, social activist and anti-corruption campaigner, who died yesterday aged 102. During her 64 years in Hong Kong, Tu became a legend, admired by political allies and foes alike for her tireless support of the underprivileged
Former lawmaker, social activist and anti-corruption campaigner Elsie Tu died yesterday, prompting a flood of tributes from top government officials, community leaders and legislators across the political spectrum for a true Hong Kong legend.
The woman dubbed the “real spirit of Hong Kong” for tirelessly championing the rights of the downtrodden and underprivileged, breathed her last at United Christian Hospital yesterday at the age of 102. She had been admitted on Monday night suffering from pneumonia-related complications.
Tu, who came to Hong Kong on missionary work in 1951 and founded Mu Kuang English School in Kwun Tong three years later, took the plunge into politics in 1963 when she won a seat in the now-defunct Urban Council.
She began in Hong Kong with a pro-democracy outlook, but turned against colonialism and was later seen as a pro-Beijing figure because of her political views.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying led the tributes yesterday, expressing profound sadness over her death and hailing her “tremendous contributions” to the city.
ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu praised her anti-corruption campaign as pioneering work that paved the way for the colonial government to set up the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 1974.
Former chief secretary David Akers-Jones, who had known Tu for more than three decades, recalled how, in the 1970s, she was able to speak directly to then-governor Murray MacLehose about rampant corruption in the city.
“It is true that she often spoke very bluntly but it was always necessary to listen carefully to what she had to say,” he said.
Tu served as a lawmaker from 1988 to 1995, and in the Provisional Legislative Council from 1997 to 1998.
Mu Kuang English School, which is handling her funeral arrangements, called her the “real spirit of Hong Kong”.
So Sau-chung, the man who staged a hunger strike in 1966, inspired by Tu’s opposition to a proposed Star Ferry fare increase, said: “She was one of the few British at the time who stood for the underprivileged.”
Riots broke out after So was arrested over the protest, and about 430 people were detained in one of the biggest disturbances in Hong Kong’s recent history. Tu was accused of inciting the violence, although she never took part in it.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and Legco President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing also praised Tu for fighting for justice, while education minister Eddie Ng Hak-kim lauded her contribution to schooling.
Lam recalled taking part in some campaigns led by Tu when she was a university student in the late 1970s.
In 2002, Tu went against the tide by supporting the government’s push for national security legislation. She also backed the pro-establishment camp’s campaign against last year’s Occupy Central movement.
But Democratic Party founding chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming acknowledged that Tu had been fighting for democracy before he joined in.
“We need to judge a person from his or her deeds in their whole life. I have full respect for her although we have had different views on democratic development in recent years,” he said.
