New People’s Party lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee answered controversial political questions and told kids that tear gas was a “kinder” method of dispersing crowds on a television programme featuring children on Wednesday.
In the first half of the ViuTv’s Kids Talk, the pro-Beijing legislator answered some light-hearted questions put to her by children about her politics, love life, and her infamous “broom head” bouffant.
Ip also participated in a Chief Executive election game.
Regarding her trademark hairstyle, she told the children that her perm “would keep my hair up in the rain” and that it was “very convenient when I didn’t have time to wash my hair.”
‘Much kinder’
During the second half, the questions shifted to a more serious and controversial tone. First, Ip reiterated that throwing bricks was unacceptable when questioned about the violent clashes in Mong Kok that took place in February.
When asked if she would have used tear gas if she was still secretary for security, she said that she absolutely would. She said that the whole world uses tear gas and that since it is a chemical there is no lasting damage, so it is a “much kinder” way of dispersing crowds.
‘Space’ for refugees
Next, Ip was asked about her stance on refugee camps, as she was quoted last month as saying that refugees should be placed in closed camps outside of Hong Kong. Ip said that the best solution would be to create a closed camp, but as it is hard to find such a place in Hong Kong.
“I think we should discuss this issue with the mainland since there is more space there,” she said.
Privilege
Finally, Ip was asked if the chief executive had any special privileges in the wake of the “bag-gate” scandal, where Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was accused of using his privileges to help his daughter bypass security rules to retrieve forgotten luggage.
She replied: “Actually no, the chief executive has no special privileges. Considering the chief executive is consistently monitored and observed, you could say he sometimes doesn’t even have basic human rights.”
The Kids Talk programme consists of a group of children aged nine or ten interviewing weekly guests about their professional and personal life. The programme has aired three episodes so far, with lawmaker Lau Ming-wai and Howard Chiu, son of real estate mogul Cecil Chao Sze-tsung appearing on the show.
