Hong Kong should consider postponing chief executive election to prioritise Covid-19 fight, pro-Beijing heavyweight, advisers say
- Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the country’s top legislative body, says: ‘Other matters should be put aside at the moment so as not to distract attention from pandemic control’
- Government advisers Wong Kwok-kin, Regina Ip and Ip Kwok-him back Tam’s view, adding this is a ‘make-or-break time for Hong Kong’
Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, told the Post on Thursday that there was a need to make “adjustments” to the coming chief executive race, currently set for March 27.
“The president has made it clear that fighting the pandemic is the overriding priority for Hong Kong. Other matters should be put aside at the moment so as not to distract attention from pandemic control,” Tam said, stressing that it was his own opinion.
The three government advisers who backed Tam’s view are Wong Kwok-kin, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Ip Kwok-him, all members of the Executive Council.
Noting Xi’s words, Wong said the election campaign would inevitably cause controversy in society and infighting within the pro-establishment camp, hampering efforts to contain the outbreak.
Hong Kong confirmed 6,116 coronavirus cases on Thursday, shattering the previous day’s mark of 4,285.
Public hospitals have been so swamped that patients are left out in the cold as they wait to be admitted. Many infected residents have also been stuck at home for days because of the lack of available hospital beds, sparking fears of cross-infection.