Just SayingEnough of vulgar and violent behaviour, it’s time to disband Hong Kong’s legislature

Yonden Lhatoo is appalled by the loss of dignity and decency in the Legislative Council, arguing that our lawmakers are so toxic and out of control, they don’t deserve to represent us any more

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Hong Kong’s Legco descends into chaos as lawmakers scuffle over a contentious extradition bill. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 5:34pm, 18 May 2019Updated: 4:15pm, 21 May 2019

Have you ever seen a bigger bunch of drama queens than Hong Kong’s lawmakers?

They’ve become completely devoid of shame these days, but I feel embarrassed on their behalf after watching our elected representatives misbehave in the Legislative Council chamber.

The chaos we saw last weekend was the pits, an absolute low point, as opposition politicians battled their pro-establishment rivals for control of the bills committee that should scrutinise the government’s highly controversial amendment to Hong Kong’s extradition law.

Lawmaker Abraham Razack (bottom centre) is surrounded by other legislators as a scuffle breaks out and the scene descends into chaos. Photo: Edmond So

After watching the fracas first on television, I went through all the video clips posted online for good measure and must say it was categorically cringe-inducing. How simultaneously appalling and saddening to bear witness as the purported luminaries of politics in this city go off the rails, yelling, screaming, shoving and even physically assaulting each other for all the world to see.

Real classy conduct, for example, from the likes of pro-democracy champions Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and Eddie Chu Hoi-dick. They kept climbing on top of desks and launching themselves into the scrum, apparently to grab the microphone from a frazzled Abraham Razack, while a band of self-appointed bodyguards from the pro-establishment camp pushed and fought back to “protect” their pick for chairing the bills committee.