Non-participation viewed as a way to maintain social harmony

HONG KONG: Pro-establishment political parties plan to distance themselves from the coming by-elections precipitated by resignation of five legislators of the opposition camp, whose campaign has intensified from de facto "referendum" to "uprising", then "liberation".

In announcing their intentions yesterday, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) and the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) said their non-participation would help cool down the rhetoric between the two opposing camps and their supporters.

Their decision not to contest the by-elections follows a similar declaration earlier by the Liberal Party, which announced Saturday that it would not participate in any exercises that called for "a referendum and an uprising".

Five legislators from the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats tendered resignation letters to the Legislative Council on Tuesday and the resignations take effect today.

Though they could not read out resignation statements at the Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday after the pro-establishment camp walked out and forced adjournment of the meeting, the two opposition parties yesterday decided to let the resignations stand without extending the effective date.

At a rally organized by the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats on Wednesday night, Albert Chan, one of the resigned lawmakers, cried out "Liberate Hong Kong!" to rouse spectators.

Speaking yesterday about the latest escalation, DAB vice-chairman Lau Kong-wah said the opposition stand is becoming very clear and he is not inclined to take part.

The DAB had hoped to defer its decision while party members worked to overcome difference of opinion and achieve consensus. "But having read the mixed public opinion toward the walk-out and the incitement at the Civic League and the League of Social Democrats' rally, attended by several thousand people, the sense of confrontation between the two camps is intensifying," he said.

"If we run in the by-elections, both camps will organize their supporters in electioneering campaigns and I am afraid the two camps, including their supporters, will clash. If we abstain, society will keep cool and so the best thing is to snub the by-elections."

Lau also said although the party stood a good chance of winning a few seats, it is the interest of society as a whole that matters most. In due course, he said he would meet with party chairman Tam Yiu-chung and convene an executive committee meeting at an early date to make an official declaration of the non-participation in the by-elections.

FTU legislator Wong Kwok-kin said the heads of the federation felt that the two opposition parties went too far by shouting "Liberate Hong Kong!" at the Wednesday night rally. At an informal meeting yesterday, the federation decided not to participate in the by-elections and there would be a formal meeting to ratify the decision.

"If we take part, both camps would rally their supporters and heat up the issue and that will further divide society," Wong said. "If we don't join, society will calm down and concentrate on discussion of constitutional reform."

He also agreed that non-participation by the pro-establishment camp would lower voter turnout. "If they were to participate and voter turnout was high, the opposition camp could claim validation of its 'referendum and uprising' campaign," he said.

(HK Edition 01/29/2010 page1)