When it’s hard to be humble: Carrie Lam’s harsh style even when backing down on Hong Kong extradition bill fuels public anger
- Chief executive’s belated apology exposed ‘lack of political judgment’ and has done little to convince people she means it
- Lawmakers say protest has transformed into display of dissatisfaction at social issues plaguing the city
In announcing her decision to suspend the much-despised extradition bill, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor promised to be “humble” but insisted she was not interested in pacifying protesters. She also refused to apologise for the ruckus she had caused and the rancour that had set in.
Her mixed messaging, of claiming to show humility but sounding harsh, did not go down well. Record numbers of protesters handed her a stinging rejection on Sunday. “Resign!” they shouted almost every step of the way across Hong Kong Island, marching forth resolutely nearly all dressed in black.
A pro-establishment lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the anti-extradition movement had transformed overnight into one seeking to topple the city’s government.
“They were calling for Lam to step down, just like protesters did in 2014 during the Occupy protests,” he said, referring to the civil disobedience movement that brought parts of Hong Kong to a standstill for 79 days.
Far from calming society, Lam succeeded in doing the opposite, others noted.
