Hong Kong minister 'axed' from cabinet 'thought plans for military-style youth group would be seen as brainwashing'
Tsang Tak-sing, who was replaced in cabinet reshuffle, is said to have expressed reservations over formation of military-style youth group
The man replaced as secretary for home affairs in a sudden cabinet reshuffle last month was at odds with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying over the formation of a mysterious military-style youth group, the South China Morning Post has learned.
A person familiar with the situation said Tsang Tak-sing had reservations about the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, which was set up to enhance young Hongkongers' awareness of their obligations as Chinese citizens, because he considered it "too formalistic".
"Tsang also felt the creation of such a group would be seen as an attempt to brainwash young people," the person said. "Tsang stuck to his views, although the chief executive gave his blessing to the uniformed group."
Tsang, 66, who as a student was jailed for two years for distributing "inflammatory" anti-colonial leaflets during the 1967 riots, was abruptly replaced on July 21. Secretary for the civil service Paul Tang Kwok-wai, 59, was also replaced in the reshuffle.
A person familiar with Tsang's exit earlier said Beijing and Leung were unhappy with the performance of the left-leaning former journalist, adding that he was not proactive enough on youth work. Beijing officials claimed this was a contributory factor to last year's Occupy protests.
The association is backed by government leaders, Beijing's representatives in the city and the local People's Liberation Army garrison. Regina Leung Tong Ching-yee, wife of the chief executive, is its "commander-in-chief".