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Democratic Alliance for the
Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) chairman Ma Lik, back on
the campaign trail for the first time since his surgery
for colon cancer last month, is bullish that his party
can secure 10
seats.
Ma, who was treated in a Guangzhou hospital, returned on Thursday.
On Friday, he was canvassing for votes on Pedder Street in Central, attracting
the attention of about 50 local and overseas journalists.
The Hong Kong Island constituency candidate said he had already completed the
first of six phases of chemotherapy treatment, and had increased his weight by
two kilograms.
``I hope everybody will not treat me as a patient or a protected animal,'' he
said. ``Although my immune system is weaker right now and I might suffer from
influenza or fever easily, my body is recovering and I will be okay.''
Ma said he would return to Guangzhou this month for the second round of
treatment that will last for 21 days.
Though his party suffered a landslide defeat in November's District Council
elections, Ma is confident the DAB can increase its Legco seats from nine to
10.
``We all know that the public wants a stable and cordial environment for Hong
Kong. We believe the concepts promoted by the DAB are what the people are
asking for. I believe many voters will support us,'' he said.
According to recent polls, Ma's ticket had a 10 per cent support rate in the
Hong Kong Island constituency.
This means that Choy So-yuk, an incumbent lawmaker who is placed second on Ma's
ticket, may not get re-elected.
Others in the battle for the six seats in the constituency include the
Democratic Party's Yeung Sum and Martin Lee, Article 45 Concern Group member
Audrey Eu, Frontier member Cyd Ho, Anti-Tung Solidarity member Tsang Kin-shing,
current Legislative Council president Rita Fan and independent Kelvin Wong.
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