By Katie Cheng
The Liberal Party has held the Peak constituency of the Central and Western District Council for 18 years. But hedge fund manager Edward Chin Chi-kin is challenging the pro-business party’s candidate Jeremy Young Chit-on in the by-election because he says he believes the Liberal Party cannot inherit the seat forever.
“You cannot go uncontested,” says Chin. “I am not challenging the Liberal Party on purpose, but they are not doing a good job.”
Chin, who is standing as a pro-democratic independent, says some of his friends who live on the Peak are angry that Liberal Party district councillors have still not resolved the neighbourhood’s transport and security problems after so many years. He says he will manage the traffic flow of tour coaches and private cars in the district if he is elected.
“You cannot go uncontested,” says Chin. “I am not challenging the Liberal Party on purpose, but they are not doing a good job.”
There are 5,314 registered voters in the Peak Constituency, and Chin thinks there is more focus on this by-election than there was on the race for this seat during the District Council election two years ago. He also thinks this by-election is significant because it is the first election to be held after the disqualification of the legislative councillors elected in last year’s Legislative Council polls, starting with the Youngspiration duo Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung Chung-hang.
Compared to his rival Jeremy Young, Chin says he has the advantage of being unafraid to tackle political issues. “He (Young) does not dare to comment on some issues, but I think there is no problem in supporting true democracy in Hong Kong,” says Chin. “Does he (Young) dare to say this? That is the difference.”
Chin won’t be drawn on what he thinks his chances of winning are, saying he will just do his best.
Edited by Rubie Fan
