Lawmaker's customs check story sparks online debate

Michael Shum

Lawmaker Tang Fei was slammed by online users for feeling entitled after he took to social media to say mainland customs officers stopped him and searched his briefcase at the border checkpoint when returning to Hong Kong.

In a Facebook post Sunday night, Tang, an Education Committee sector lawmaker, said that he was surprised he was stopped by a mainland customs officer, who also told him that they have to search his bags.

"It was the first time in a few decades and they were very thorough taking everything out, including a book of mine in simplified Chinese, which they did not care about, as well as my documents for a summit," Tang said.

After officers checked his documents and clothes, Tang said he was asked if he was on his way back from a summit, to which he answered "yes."

"But the most dumbfounding thing is that my Legislative Council Complex access card is in the same bag and was placed in a convenient pocket, but the officers did not notice. Not that they pretended not to see it but they literally did not see it," Tang said.

"I thought to myself at that time: I'm a legislator after all, definitely a patriot, and there is no reason to doubt me, but they happened to not see [the access card]," he added.

Tang was later allowed to leave. But after he returned to Hong Kong, he said: "I was staying very low-profile when I had to go to a theater, I even wore a mask. But after I opened the door, a cleaning worker saw me from a distance and called out my full name."

"This is life. When you want someone to recognize you, no one will. But when you want to stay out of sight, people will recognize you."

His social media post immediately drew comments, with many supporting the mainland customs officers.

"Being a lawmaker means they will not breach the law? A patriot will never break the law? Security checks should be supported, what trouble has it caused you?" one online user wrote.

"So you are telling me lawmakers have privileges? It is the officers' job to do security searches," another said.

Even Lai Siu-chung, deputy director of the Motor Transport Workers General Union's KMB branch under the Federation of Trade Unions, commented: "That shows that they are treating everyone equally, no one can enjoy privilege."

Some online users defended Tang, saying: "He is just writing down bits and pieces of his life. He did not refuse to undergo the security check, what is the problem with him sharing his personal feelings?"

Another said the officers were trying to find out what a Legislative Councilor would bring during his trip, while one even suggested Tang wear all his credentials next time.

In response to the comments, Tang said he wrote the post to remind himself "to be humble" as he praised the mainland customs officers for fulfilling their duties and trying to stop people from smuggling contraband.

"I am also just trying to remind myself to be careful as I might be identified for what I have done in public," Tang said. "I don't have any words for netizens who have misunderstood me, I will simply laugh it off."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com