Liberal giant and voice of reason dies at 80

Michael Shum

Allen Lee Peng-fei, founding chairman of the pro-business Liberal Party, has died at the age of 80.

The pro-establishment heavyweight died at home on Friday surrounded by his family. His funeral will be held privately and a memorial will be organized later.

Lee was a member of the Legislative Council from 1978 to 1997 and a senior member of the legislature from 1988 to 1991. He also served as an executive councillor from 1986 to 1992.

In 1983, during negotiations between China and Britain on the handover, Lee led a delegation of young professionals at Xinhua News Agency's invitation to visit Beijing.

Martin Lee Chu-ming, who later founded the Democratic Party, and Andrew Li Kwok-nang, who later became the first judge to preside over the Court of Final Appeal, were on the delegation.

They proposed that the central government take back the sovereignty of Hong Kong but allow British rule to be extended, arguing that keeping the status quo was the best guarantee to maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Their proposal was ultimately rejected by then-leader Deng Xiaoping.

Lee founded the Liberal Party in 1993 and retired after he lost in the 1998 election to Cyd Ho Sau-lan.

He became a political commentator, hosting Legco Review on RTHK and became a critic of the government, often criticizing then-chief executive Tung Chee-hwa for ignoring public sentiment.

Lee also spoke out after his party refused to support Article 23 legislation, saying that if the SAR government insisted on pressing ahead with the bill, there might be a bloodbath in Central.

He was elected as a National People's Congress delegate in late 1997, holding the position for 10 years.

In 2013, he joined the political group Hong Kong 2020, spearheaded by former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, before quitting after a year, citing conflict of interest concerns.

Lee retired from hosting Legco Review after 17 years in 2018 as he said his only wish was to see Hong Kong come to a complete reconciliation.

He was one of five senior party leaders who urged Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to fully withdraw the extradition bill and establish an independent inquiry last year.

Liberal chairman Felix Chung Kwok-pan said yesterday his party is "sad and sorry" over Lee's passing.

"Lee had been a very important person in politics since the '80s," he said. "He encouraged the business sector to not just stay in the functional constituency, but to also run for geographical constituencies."

Lam's statement said: "I am saddened by the passing of Mr Lee. On behalf of the government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family.

"Mr Lee served the community for many years and was influential in the political arena."

Fellow political commentator Bruce Lui Ping-kuen said Lee was very liberal and pragmatic, and emphasized Hong Kong's advantages, such as the rule of law.

He explained why Lee was well-respected on both sides of the political spectrum: "He spoke reason instead of speaking for his big boss, and although he was from the business sector, he always spoke up for Hong Kong."

Chan mourned her friend, saying he was a gentleman with honor and daring, who was outspoken and would respond to every demand.

"Allen joined the two think tanks I founded, and our common wish was to push for universal suffrage. But it is with great regret that the dream for universal suffrage has become more unachievable at the moment he died," Chan said.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com