New Territories East by-election is a Hong Kong Legco poll like no other
Following in the wake of the Mong Kok riot and amid small but fervent support for localism, the vote could have a big sway on the legislature’s make-up
With representatives of almost every pan-democratic party providing the backdrop in a show of solidarity, Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu is trying to woo voters in Tseung Kwan O on a foggy Sunday. The damp weather matches the young man’s sombre expression replacing his usual smile.
He has cause for concern, nearly two weeks after the Mong Kok riot, which left more than 130 people injured, including 90 police officers, and led to the arrests of more than 60 people.
Yeung of the Civic Party, the sole candidate jointly recommended by the pan-democratic camp, appeared to have had the upper hand in the coming Legislative Council by-election to fill the seat vacated by his mentor and former party colleague, Ronny Tong Ka-wah, after the moderate politician quit the legislature in the wake of the failed political reform.
READ MORE: How the New Territories East by-election could help re-write the Legco rule book
But the unexpected violence blamed on a radical localist group, which has been strongly condemned by the pro-establishment camp and placed pan-democrats in an ambivalent position, has added a layer of uncertainty to the race, which will see some 940,340 voters in New Territories East cast pick the candidate of their choice on Sunday.
Yeung attempted to position himself delicately – criticising the brutal violence on one hand, he also called on the government to reflect on why such unrest would erupt and even personally offered pro bono legal assistance to those arrested. But the stance has apparently failed to please everyone.
“We have indeed noticed a significant change of attitude online. Those who support and condemn the Mong Kok disturbances have all vented their emotions on me,” Yeung told the Post, though he noted the atmosphere he experienced at community level was different.