Pro-establishment lawmakers allow rivals’ non-binding motion on riot offence review to pass unanimously in Hong Kong Legco
- Justice chief Teresa Cheng shrugs off move, saying lawmakers are entitled to do what they deem fit
- Pro-establishment bloc convenor says camp did not plan this, although the situation raised eyebrows about relations between government and allies
Hong Kong’s pro-establishment camp has in a rare move allowed rivals in the legislature to unanimously pass a non-binding motion calling for a review of riot offences, raising eyebrows about strained ties between the government and its allies following the extradition bill fallout.
On Monday, justice minister Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah said lawmakers at the Legislative Council’s justice and legal services panel meeting were “perfectly entitled” to react in any way they see fit.
The pro-establishment camp enjoys a majority in Legco’s various committees, and motions by the opposition, even if non-binding, have rarely secured support from the house.
This time Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok raised the motion centred on the arrest of at least five protesters over riot charges when crowds clashed with police on June 12.
Police arrested a total of 32 people, although no formal charges have been raised.
Kwok is calling for a full review of the Public Order Ordinance, which includes riot offences, and for amendments to ensure there are safeguards to observe human rights.
The motion was unanimously passed with no other pro-establishment member present. Chairwoman Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, a Beijing loyalist, did not vote according to convention.
Cheng said she respected lawmakers’ views, and took the opportunity to thank the pro-establishment camp for their understanding and support in recent years, and throughout the extradition bill crisis.
“They are perfectly entitled to react in any way that they think is appropriate,” she said.
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Leung and pro-establishment bloc convenor Martin Liao Cheung-kong denied that the move not to block Kwok was a gesture against the embattled government.
“The passing of the motion just means that a majority of the panel present at the time were expressing a view for the government to consider,” Liao said.
The passing of the motion just means that a majority of the panel present at the time were expressing a view for the government to consider
“The pro-establishment camp has not discussed this, let alone come to a consensus, so it can’t be ‘a gesture’ from the camp.”
Leung noted the wording of the motion was mild and most found no need to show opposition.
Meanwhile, pro-democracy lawmakers repeatedly urged Cheng to step down during the meeting.
“You shouldn’t even be here, because the public has already lost faith in you,” Labour Party lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung said.
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“You should be held accountable for pushing the extradition bill,” Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung added.
Cheng said she would humbly accept criticisms, but urged society to move forward from the controversy.
“We have already gained a lot of experience from this controversy, and the government has reviewed its work and hopefully will do better in the future,” she said.
