Can Carrie Lam reboot her political career after Hong Kong extradition bill crisis?

From top job to new low in two years as Lam offers ‘most sincere and solemn apology’ for mishandling extradition bill that sparked two massive marches

With echoes of statement she made when she became city leader, and wearing an identical cream skirt suit, Lam vows to work even harder to secure public support

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Chief Executive Carrie Lam says she personally shoulders responsibility for mishandled extradition bill. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:30am, 19 Jun 2019Updated: 5:21pm, 19 Jun 2019

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor looked sombre as she walked onto the stage on Tuesday, with barely a trace of her usual trademark confidence bordering on brusqueness.

Few could have imagined this former career civil servant who was elected to the top job of chief executive by a comfortable margin nearly two years ago would descend to a new low this week, forced to issue an apology, not once, but twice and to face the humiliation of an estimated 2 million people shouting in the streets for her resignation.

But there was something familiar about her appearance to say that second sorry on Tuesday – Lam wore an identical cream skirt suit to the one she had on when she won 777 votes from the committee of 1,194 to secure her political position.

In a slightly shaky voice, she offered her “most sincere and solemn apology” for mishandling the much despised extradition bill that had sparked two massive marches and a round of violent clashes in just a week.

Carrie Lam (left) on her election day in 2017, and apologising for her handling of the extradition bill in 2019. Photo: SCMP

“I personally have to shoulder much of the responsibility,” said Lam, who paused and looked down at her script as she delivered her long-awaited personal apology. Contrary to advice some had whispered in her ear and others had willed aloud, she did not bow.

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