Hong Kong chief executive hopeful Checkley Sin proposes building mega prison on Lamma to free up land, vows to slash waiting times for public housing
- He says he will also reclaim 150 hectares of land off the sleepy island’s coast for development as part of his bid to boost the city’s housing supply
- In new manifesto outlining his plans, he also pledges to pass security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law within a year if elected
Checkley Sin Kwok-lam, the kung fu film producer-turned-online pundit who hopes to become Hong Kong’s next chief executive, has proposed building a mega prison on laid-back Lamma Island as a way to free up urban land for housing.
In a document laying out his platform posted to his official website on Sunday, Sin also vowed to pass home-grown national security legislation under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution within a year if elected, and to cut waiting times for public housing in half.
Sin announced his intention to run for the city’s top job last week, though his candidacy is still unofficial as the nomination period is yet to open. The first person to throw his hat into the ring, Sin has not elaborated on how he can secure enough nominations to qualify for the election.
“Hong Kong experienced Occupy Central in 2014 and incidents of black violence in 2019. This exposed the shortcomings of the administration’s governance and the bad influence of the perfunctory attitude of the government,” the manifesto said.
“What’s more, education has been eroded, corrupting the younger generation. There are also many blunders in the judiciary and prosecutions; it has shaken the public’s confidence in the rule of law.”
He went on to say the government should do more to boost the economy, thereby generating more revenue to tackle the city’s housing woes and social problems.
Sin made his name as a film producer, kung fu master and businessman, but earned new fame in recent years after starting an online channel devoted to his commentary on the governance of incumbent leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.