Legco dems threaten mass resignation

All 19 pan-democratic lawmakers threatened a mass resignation if Beijing disqualifies any of them for filibustering.

Their threat came as word from Beijing suggested a clampdown on filibustering in the Legislative Council, where at least four lawmakers could be unseated - the Civic Party's Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Dennis Kwok Wing-hang and Kwok Ka-ki and the Professionals Guild's Kenneth Leung Kai-cheong.

In a press conference yesterday, the 19 pan-dems threatened there would be "a mass resignation with no regret" if the central government decided to kick any of them out of the legislature.

Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai, who is also the convener of the pro-democracy camp, said: "It's totally ridiculous. It reflects they are ruthless, and they disrespect the Basic Law.

"So all of our members will [resign en masse] if the disqualification of our job, our work, our role is really being implemented.

"We would like to make use of the mass resignation on one hand to reflect our unity. On the other hand, to protest against the tyranny of the central government and the SAR government."

Legal sector legislator Dennis Kwok said they have always followed the law and the council's rules of procedure in carrying out their duties.

"It seems like those in power cannot tolerate opposition any more," he said.

"They cannot tolerate opposition in the Legislative Council. They are adamant in getting rid of all opposition in the Legislative Council, and they are adamant in getting rid of all democrats - not simply from Legco but it seems the whole of Hong Kong."

Kwok also said a disqualification would be "a serious departure from the original spirit of one country, two systems and also provisions of the Basic Law."

He added: "If this decision is to come it goes directly against the promise to the Hong Kong people that the Legislative Council will one day be composed by universal suffrage."

The four had already been disqualified when they sought re-election before the legislative elections were postponed for 12 months, with the SAR administration citing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the four were allowed to continue serving as legislators.

Three other pan-democrats - Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, Eddie Chu Hoi-dick and Tanya Chan Suk-chong - refused to stay in the legislature during the 12-month extension after inconclusive poll results on the issue by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute.

The plan to disqualify at least the four pan-democrats could be discussed at a meeting today and tomorrow of the standing committee of the National People's Congress in Beijing.

Although the agenda so far does not have any topic related to Hong Kong, items can be added. And the issues of filibustering and disqualifications could be discussed.

The disqualifications could be allowed under Article 104 of the Basic Law, which states that public officers including Legislative Council members must swear allegiance to the SAR and uphold the Basic Law.

The action could also come under Article 22 of National Security Law on subversion, which bans serious interference, disruption or undermining the government's performance of its lawful duties and functions.

Hong Kong's sole delegate on the committee, Tam Yiu-chung, said it was not good for members to disrupt legislative operations and that they should abide by their oaths.

"They kept using quorum calls to cause meetings to be adjourned and wasted time," he said before leaving for the NPC meeting yesterday. "I think such behavior is inappropriate.

"As lawmakers you must act in accordance with Article 104 of the Basic Law.

"It's not good to disrupt Legco's normal operations by various means. Some media polls also pointed out that because they've done so they are not suitable to be legislators. I hope we can face this problem."

If the four lawmakers are disqualified only 15 pan-democrats would be left in the Legislative Council.

That means any opposition in the legislature would shrink to 17 - Pierre Chan Pui-yin, the medical sector centrist, sometimes votes with pro-democracy lawmakers, and localist Cheng Chung-tai - versus the pro-establishment camp's 41.

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