Hong Kong leader renews attack on opposition lawmakers for ‘political devastation’, pointing to stalled maternity leave bill
- Writing on Facebook ahead of Labour Day, Carrie Lam says the city is at a crucial stage in its battle against the pandemic
- Leader warns about resurgent violence as calls mount on social media for residents to take part in anti-government displays
Hong Kong’s leader has accused opposition lawmakers of wreaking “continuous political devastation” with filibustering tactics in the Legislative Council, pointing to a stalled bill on maternity leave, and warned about a resurgence of violence.
Lam’s criticisms came ahead of Labour Day when workers take to the streets calling for better protection of their rights. The police have denied an application to hold a main protest, but social media messages are urging residents to take part in smaller displays of discontent with the government.
After explaining how a series of labour policies benefited workers, she turned to lay blame on pan-democratic lawmakers who had deadlocked Legco’s House Committee for more than half a year with filibustering tactics.
“Hong Kong might be able to survive the economic cold winter, but I am worried that we could not be able to stand the continuous political devastation and resurgent violence,” Lam said. “Could the group of legislators led by Dennis Kwok pull back from the brink of the precipice and turn back?”
But she did not elaborate on what she meant by violence returning.