A candidate who ran in the 2011 District Council election, but left politics afterwards, claims he was asked by a person from the pro-Beijing camp to join the race this year in order to snatch votes from a “umbrella soldier” running in Wan Chai. Remzi Wu Hing-yin, a candidate for the League of Social Democrats in 2011, was told that he “would not have to worry about resources.”
Wu said that a person from the pro-Beijing camp invited him to meet between July and August to discuss joining the Tai Hang constituency race in Wan Chai in order to split the vote against Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying, an independent candidate seen as an “umbrella soldier,” Stand News reported.
The person told him that he “would not have to worry about resources,” but did not mention an exact amount.
“He knows I do not belong to any party anymore and have left politics, but I have joined an election [before], which may help his plan.” Wu said.
Wu kept saying to the person that he needed to consider the offer for two months, until a fortnight before the end of the nomination period in October. He then declined.
After the nomination period ended, there were two candidates in the constituency, including Gigi Wong Ching-chi of New People’s Party and Clarisse Yeung.
‘Not the only one’
Wu did not disclose the identity of the person in the pro-Beijing camp, but said that the person was a member of a party, and had an important role in the election.
He said the person did not run in the Tai Hang constituency and did not belong to the New People’s Party, that he could just be a middleperson. The person lost in another constituency.
“I cannot comment if other people were [running to snatch votes], but I believe I am not the only one being invited.” Wu said.
Wu said that he can accept compromising with the pro-Beijing in terms of policy, but running in the election to snatch votes from a pro-democracy candidate would be a betrayal and unacceptable.
“I would respect direct challenges, but challenging in a ‘stabbing in the back’ way has crossed my line.” he added.
