Popular former health minister Ko Wing-man considers running in Hong Kong by-election

‘There are people approaching me’ for Kowloon West constituency by-election, Ko confirms with Post

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Dr Ko Wing-man was the most popular minister in Leung Chun-ying’s administration. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 8:33am, 4 Jun 2018Updated: 10:43am, 4 Jun 2018

Hong Kong’s former health minister Dr Ko Wing-man on Sunday confirmed he was considering offering himself to the pro-establishment camp as a candidate for an expected Legislative Council by-election.

But the popular Ko, an orthopaedic surgeon who served as secretary for food and health in former chief executive Leung Chun-ying’s administration for five years, said he would not make a final decision for some time.

The by-election in the Kowloon West constituency could come as early as the end of this year following a decision last week by ousted lawmaker Lau Siu-lai to withdraw her appeal against a court ruling that disqualified her over improper oath-taking.

Six opposition politicians were stripped of their Legco seats in the oath-taking saga. Four seats were filled after a by-election in March, but because of appeals by Lau and “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, two seats remained vacant.

Nathan Law Kwun-chung (left); Lau Siu-lai and Leung Kwok-hung were among six lawmakers disqualified over their improper oath-taking. Photo: David Wong

Leung said he would still go ahead with his appeal.