Rare critics over 'party-gate'

The "Hung Party-gate" fiasco is truly an arresting drama as more names - near and far afield - are getting involved.

One of them is Li Kwok-cheung. But could this be the thundering Executive Council member Arthur Li Kwok-cheung?

Another is ex-government official Raymond Young Lap-moon who has been leading a life wrapped around his personal hobbies of singing and the arts since retiring early in his mid-50s as permanent secretary for home affairs.

Maybe not entirely of his own initiative, Li came onto the scene after a snapshot of a WhatsApp message was circulated among local political circles showing that someone with the same name had forwarded a message and texted to add his opinion.

The Exco member reportedly did not issue any denial but clarified that he message was not his own writing.

Perhaps he merely forwarded someone's message that, while slamming government officials for not showing enough sensitivity, defended them against any wrongdoing.

Instead, it held Cathay Pacific responsible and criticized "madam" - thought to be in reference to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor for being harsh to her own people and lenient to Cathay.

The snapshot went on to add that [secretary for transport] Frank Chan was the culprit and that he had argued for the exemption of aircrew from proper quarantine.

This is the first time that someone has gone public to reveal what had been discussed at an internal meeting on quarantine exemption.

Prior to that, the public was not aware that the transport secretary had argued to exempt aircrew.

Clarifying that it was not his own writing, Li conceded to the media that Lam was so angry because - on the morning of the day the large party was held to celebrate NPC deputy Witman Hung's 53rd birthday - the chief executive had reminded senior officials to avoid going to large social gatherings because social distancing might be tightened later.

That's why she was so furious at the press conference.

Whether or not the message was actually from Arthur Li, the point is that patriots supporting the government feel betrayed by the differential treatment accorded to one of their own men, Home Affairs Secretary and DAB supporter Caspar Tsui Ying-wai as well as Cathay Pacific.

In contrast, Young's public reappearance was a little unexpected as he has avoided politics since retiring early to concentrate on the arts and music.

His letter, carried by a local newspaper, mainly comprises three points: one, officials made a bad judgment with their attendance; two, no rules were breached; and three, it was misleading for the chief executive to describe the event as a private function.

Although it may be fair to say, that while the officials had shown poor judgment, it was really difficult to pinpoint exactly which published rules and regulations were breached - unless there were some internal directives for their eyes only.

In hindsight, it may be unfair to categorize the birthday party as completely private as it is common to maintain working connections through events as such.

It was not far fetched for Young to say some who attended may see fit to maintain their connections by showing up.