Former London-based high-flyer in running for leadership spot in powerful Hong Kong rural body the Heung Yee Kuk
- Peter Lam, 38, recently made a name for himself in village politics after winning election for Tai Po Rural Committee chairman
- His chairmanship qualifies him to run in kuk leadership election on June 1
The leadership race for Hong Kong’s rural powerhouse the Heung Yee Kuk is moving into top gear with a young high-flyer emerging as a front runner.
Peter Lam Yick-kuen, a businessman formerly based in Britain, made a name for himself in village politics last month after he won an election to become Tai Po Rural Committee chairman, succeeding patriarch and former pro-Beijing lawmaker Cheung Hok-ming.
Cheung, 66, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, stepped down because of poor health and was also expected to vacate his vice-chairman seat in the kuk, which represents the interests of indigenous New Territories villagers.
An indigenous villager of Nam Wa Po in Tai Po, Lam, 39 next month, is also the youngest rural leader in the kuk. His rural committee chairmanship qualifies him to run in the kuk leadership election on June 1.
“If there are chances, I think I should make an effort to get them,” Lam said when asked about his ambition to replace Cheung as a kuk vice-chair.