Reply To: Donald Tsang bloody big bridges and plastic bag levy

#8753

Not only has Donald Tsang shown disrespect for the law, he has shown near zero empathy for regular Hong Kong people – including by failing to make good on his promise to introduce new Air Quality Objectives before end of his term of office, and by hob-nobbing with tycoons and fondness for official trips with lavish hotel rooms. Apology yesterday seems too late, likely insincere; glad his crap time as Chief Executive is coming to an end.

Article in Chicago Tribune includes:

Quote:
Hong Kong's outgoing leader Donald Tsang tearfully apologized on Friday for his part in one of a series of corruption scandals that have embarrassed China, a day after an independent report called for him to be held more accountable.

Tsang, 67, has found himself in hot water at the twilight of his career over a series of cases that have undermined his credibility and led to a probe by the city's anti-corruption watchdog, the ICAC.

"Because of my personal mishandling of matters, in shaking public confidence in Hong Kong's (civil service) to be incorrupt and honest in performing one's duties, and in causing disappointment towards civil servants, I once again wholeheartedly apologies to everyone," Tsang told reporters.

He then bowed his head for a few seconds, pursed his quivering lips and fought back tears, before leaving.

Public resentment toward Tsang has centered on reports of lavish spending on overseas duty visits, along with taking trips with tycoons by private jet and luxury yacht, accepting a sweetheart rental deal for a 6500-square-foot penthouse in southern China, and staying in a high-roller suite at the Venetian casino resort in Macau.

Under current laws in Hong Kong, the chief executive is the only public official exempted from accepting advantages in office, meaning that in effect the leader is not subject to any checks and balances.

An independent committee, however, led by a respected former chief justice in Hong Kong, released a report on Thursday calling for tighter laws to redress the "fundamental defect" in legislation.

Hong Kong leader apologizes as pressure builds over scandals