Opinion | Serious work of security and regenerating the city await John Lee
By Augustus K. Yeung
Introduction
On May 8, John Lee Ka-chiu, 35 years a police officer, and more recently former secretary for security, was elected as the sixth-term chief executive designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Apart from his campaign slogan and election pledges, he has successfully quelled the violent riots that rampaged the city for months since 2019, restoring social order, and is now talking about rehabilitating convicted youths…
Apparently, the serious work of Hong Kong and national security has been done successfully as interfering and disruptive "foreign forces" have been reduced to the minimum; however, the more pervasive and challenging part of the work--regenerating the city—awaits him.
This article aims at filling in more background information about Mr. John Lee for the interest of our readers. And, we have amassed a few critics and commentators to express their opinions freely in this makeshift forum.
Background Information About John Lee Ka-chiu
After 35 years in disciplined services, we can expect him to be decisive and – yes – disciplined.
Despite excellent exam results at the Jesuit-run Wah Yan College in Kowloon, he spurned a university place to study engineering, joining the police instead as a cadet.
There followed 35 steady years of his quiet, meritocratic rise to deputy police commissioner. Fascinatingly, his Wikipedia profile lists his duties as ranging from the Crime Investigation Department to Complaints Against Police Office, across service quality, personnel, training, information systems, finance, policy formulation, and planning and development, including being commander of the Kowloon West region – superb credentials to head the police force or for security secretary.
He, his wife of 42 years and two sons have led unpretentious lives, uncluttered by membership of fashionable clubs or close links with the opulent business elite.
What Do Critics and Commentators Have to Say About John Lee
"Business tycoon Allan Zeman said Lee made a 'great speech,' report Garry Cheung and Lillian Cheng for the Post.
"Finally creating an administration that will be result-oriented, treading where no administration has gone before," said Zeman, a member of the presidium of Lee's campaign office.
"As someone with a security-background who values discipline and outcomes, Lee has addressed all the shortcomings that have hung over our heads for so long. Hong Kong is back, and John is the one who can make it happen."
On whether Lee had addressed enough on issues of public concern, including political reform and healing the deep divisions in society, Zeman said there would be "lots and lots of social issues that will keep Lee busy for a very long time, on housing and the low-income groups".
He added that currently for Hong Kong, political issues should be given relatively low priority.
Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the semi-official think tank of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the public might not be too invested in policy details but would trust Lee if he produced results quickly. "The public will care more about whether Lee can demonstrate courage and strength in execution," Lau said.
Conclusion
The election platform unveiled last Friday for chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu who pledged to "open a new chapter for Hong Kong together".
As he announced his 44-page platform, Lee said there was no doubt there was much "we could draw upon and learn from the past."
"It is equally clear that there remain many deep-rooted problems that require urgent remedy," he added. "It is high time Hong Kong starts a new chapter of development."
Indeed, it is "high time Hong Kong starts a new chapter of development."
Personally, I like it; it is a blessing that Lee has no business ties, and therefore owes no tycoons any favors. Like Mr. Tung, our first chief executive, he is an undisputed "Mr. clean." He is action-oriented, likely to produce results--in a cosmopolitan city that truly values, "results, results, results!"
The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
Opinion | John Lee has quelled catastrophic rioting and won ultimate trust
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