'Carrie Lam Should Consider Taking Long Leave'

Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki has urged Chief Executive Carrie Lam to consider taking a long period of leave if she feels she's unfit for the job for the time being.

Kwok accused Lam of being irresponsible as she has not appeared in public since she offered an apology for the extradition bill controversy at a news conference last Tuesday.

"To refuse to appear, to refuse to acknowledge a request and to refuse to make a decision is entirely irresponsible," he said. "It will only hurt Hong Kong more."

He said Lam is welcome to resign if she wants to.

Kwok, who is also a doctor, said if someone stays away from work for nine days, then they should look at the option of going on an extended period of leave.

"Hong Kong cannot wait for someone to recover," he said.

Lam has come under tremendous pressure as mass protests continued and even her allies started criticising her over the handling of the bill row.

On Wednesday, pro-government lawmaker and Legco finance committee chairman Chan Kin-por said the current inaction of the government is the worst thing that has happened.

The opposition accuse Lam and her officials of trying to evade the people after a series of scheduled events were cancelled. They say the entire government is now paralysed.