Minister's Poll Disqualification Remarks 'illogical'

Pan-democrat lawmakers on Wednesday criticised the constitutional affairs secretary, Erick Tsang, for suggesting that anyone who opposes the coming national security law will be disqualified from September's Legislative Council elections.

In interviews with several newspapers, Tsang said it's doubtful that such people, as well as those who want to ‘paralyse government operations’ would be genuine in swearing allegiance to the SAR as required.

Many pro-democracy politicians have stated that they intend to vote against the government’s budget as a means to pressure the administration to accept the five core demands of the anti-government protest movement, such as genuine universal suffrage and amnesty for all protesters.

After attending a Legco meeting on Wednesday, Tsang told reporters that he does not make decisions on the candidacy of election hopefuls, saying that's up to returning officers to consider.

At the same time, he stressed that it is everyone's duty to safeguard national security, and the imposition of security laws “is only natural".

However, Democratic Party chair Wu Chi-wai said Tsang was effectively creating speech crimes out of nothing, and described the secretary's comments as "laughable".

"This shows the government only accepts one voice. Whoever that has a different view becomes someone who challenges [the] Chinese regime," Wu said.

Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung described Tsang's comments as a form of "illogical and irresponsible intimidation" to Legco hopefuls.

Yeung said: "If you oppose the bill, you say it's wrong, then you might be disqualified. What is the logic here?"

He said the opponents of the legislation were only pointing out public concerns regarding the law.