Allan Zeman shrugs off concerns over rights and freedoms

Prominent businessman Allan Zeman has spoken out in support of a national security law in Hong Kong, citing concerns about terrorism as he dismissed claims of police brutality, RTHK reports.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the pro-Beijing 'Our Hong Kong Foundation' today, the chairman of the LKF Group said police reports of bomb and gun seizures show the presence of terrorism in the city.
Zeman also says foreign countries should stop their criticism of China over human rights and the situation in Xinjiang, when he said there's a very good reason why Beijing needs to be so forceful.
He said people's lives on the mainland have been getting "better and better, in many cases better than Hong Kong."
"I know the US and some of the other countries talk about human rights in China, and talk about Xinjiang and all these areas. But when you have 1.4 billion people you need to have a strong government, otherwise you have dissent and you have what’s happened in Hong Kong with seven and a half million people."
Zeman also described people's claims of dwindling freedoms in the SAR, and of police abusing their power, as being "unfounded," and dismissed concerns that new national security legislation will curtail people's basic rights and freedoms.
Zeman said it's been heartbreaking to see young people in the city "going astray" by engaging in violent anti-government protests over the past year.
He said while many youngsters have been "brainwashed" by people with ulterior motives, it's actually the territory's housing shortage that is mainly to blame for the unrest.
"We have to solve the housing problem; if people have a good house, have a good job, have a good future for their families, they love the government, they love China, they love everything, because [their] life is good," he said.
Zeman also said that Hong Kong is extremely lucky to be located in the Greater Bay Area, calling it one of world's most promising places where everyone wants to be.