64 more quit as oath fears rise in districts

Sixty-four district councillors have resigned over the past two days before they have to take an oath to pledge allegiance to the SAR and uphold the Basic Law on July 20.

That came as sources said councillors who are disqualified after oath taking could be asked to repay more than HK$1 million in salaries and paid expenses for the past 19 months, while authorities will not pursue the amount from those who resigned earlier.

Among those who jumped ship were five Democratic Party Tuen Mun councillors, including chairwoman Josephine Chan Shu-ying, who said it was too risky to continue.

Her party colleague, Tuen Mun councillor Cary Lo Chun-yu, also resigned Wednesday night. He said councillors worked hard during the pandemic and it would be sad to see the government chasing them for salaries since their election.

Sha Tin councillors Yau Man-chun and Billy Chan Shiu-yeung also threw in their towel, as Yau said the city's political environment no longer enables him to speak freely while serving electors in his constituency as well as fellow Hongkongers.

Tai Po chairman Kwan Wing-yip and member Yam Kai-pong, who were both from the now-disbanded Neo Democrats, also submitted their resignations. Kwan said he is concerned about his family's safety and therefore resigning is the only option for him.

The vice-chairwoman of Kowloon City council, Kwong Po-yin, and member Kwan Ka-lun have also resigned and ceased operating their office.

The Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood made a U-turn yesterday, saying it will not require all 19 of its district councillors to take the oath, after it announced in May that all of them would do so and stay on. It said the decision was made after dramatic changes in the political situation, and it will respect councillors' decisions.

Shortly after, veteran councillors Tam Kwok-kiu and Wai Woon-nam, both from Sham Shui Po, quit.

But some councillors refused to quit. Yuen Long's Samuel Lai Kwok-wing said he will calmly face the consequences and have no qualms even if he is disqualified and asked to repay his salary and expenses.

Local media quoted sources as saying that about 230 out of 389 district councillors will be unseated after they are required to take the oath on July 20.

It was reported that all councillors who allowed their offices to be used as polling stations during the unofficial pro-democracy camp's primary elections would be disqualified.

Those who signed a declaration supporting the anti-fugitive bill movement and promised to vote against the government's appropriation bill to pressure the chief executive in response to protesters' political demands would receive the same treatment.

People who have displayed banners of "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of the times" would also be disqualified.

More than 40 district councillors had already resigned earlier.