'Facts And Truth Can Keep Vetting Body In Check'

A prominent Beijing loyalist, Maria Tam, said on Monday that "facts and truth" can keep a committee to be set up to vet candidates for public office in Hong Kong in check.

But she also expressed reservations to suggestions that candidates could turn to the court to appeal against the committee's decisions.

The new body is part of Beijing's plan to overhaul the SAR's election system so that only "patriots" are allowed to govern Hong Kong.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, the vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee said because the screening panel wouldn't be part of the government, it may be difficult for any candidates to challenge its decisions by filing a judicial review.

When asked how to ensure there are checks and balances in the new panel, Tam said: "Of course there are things that can keep the committee in check. Facts and truth will be able to do that."

She said Beijing hasn't made the final decision yet on any appeal mechanism, and officials are collecting views on the matter.

But a local deputy to the National People's Congress, Michael Tien, said people should be allowed to take the matter to the court if the screening committee bars them from standing in an election.

Speaking on the same programme, the Roundtable legislator believes if candidates are already able to secure enough nominations from the election committee, then the vetting procedures should not be too strict.

Tam, meanwhile, insisted universal suffrage in Hong Kong is still the ultimate goal, but that it will be dangerous if those elected to public offices don't love the country or the SAR.

She said Hong Kong has much to do after the social unrest in 2019, and playing politics with the central government would only backfire.

"We have much to repair, much to heal, much to build and much to gain," Tam said.