Chu Hoi-dick And Ray Chan Prepare To Leave Legco

Pro-democracy lawmakers Ray Chan and Chu Hoi-dick have officially informed the Legislative Council Secretariat of their decision not to serve in the extended Legco from October onward.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress agreed last month to extend the term of Legco by at least one year to plug the gap created by the government's decision to postpone the polls due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Chu from the Land Justice League said even though he will quit the council as his “lawful” four-year term comes to an end on September 30, he will continue to dedicate the rest of his life to fighting for freedoms, democracy and justice in Hong Kong.

He highlighted his “two hopes” – one of which is for a substantial narrowing of the local wealth gap. Chu pointed out that there’s a 26 times difference between the salary of Legco secretary general Kenneth Chen and a regular janitor at the council, saying that is a clear reflection of the income inequality in society.

The outgoing legislator also expressed the hope that the legislature can one day be truly representative of Hong Kong people, saying it’s been under the control of the pro-Beijing camp for too long and the Legco Secretariat has failed to maintain its impartiality.

The People Power’s Ray Chan said he will boycott the extended legislature because it is simply not legitimate.

He said he's written to the Legislative Council requesting for his office to continue operating until October 20. He said there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, and he will need the office and some of his staff for several more weeks.

Chu and Chan made their stances clear on the eve of the release of results of a poll commissioned by the Democratic Party on whether 15 other pro-democracy lawmakers should remain or leave Legco.

The poll organiser, the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, said it has completed the survey by successfully interviewing 2,579 people.

The pro-democracy camp has been split on whether existing councillors should continue to serve in the extended council, with some arguing they should in order to better monitor government policies and spending.