Five quit to force 'referendum' despite mounting criticism

Defying a wave of criticism, five lawmakers from the League of Social Democrats and the Civic Party yesterday resigned to trigger by-elections they see as a de facto referendum on universal suffrage in 2012.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said the resignations were regrettable but the government would hold by-elections for the seats vacated. Beijing has said any 'so-called referendum' would be a 'blatant challenge' to its authority and to the Basic Law.

Tsang said: 'Mainstream public opinion has reservations about this move. Many see it as an abuse of the by-election mechanism and a waste of public resources.

'Despite calls to halt the plan, the Legislative Council members concerned have insisted on going astray. This will let many people down. Legislators should discharge their constitutional duties in the legislature with dedication. They should not resign lightly... As the chief executive, I would not want to see what has happened today.'

The government-friendly Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong condemned the de facto referendum exercise as a breach of the Basic Law and said it was against the public interest and would slow the pace of democratisation.

Each of the five lawmakers stated in their resignation letters: 'For citizens to directly participate in the process of constitutional reform, my four colleagues have decided to resign, hoping to trigger a de facto referendum and let citizens vote on the subject: 'to implement genuine universal suffrage as soon as possible and to abolish functional constituencies'.'

Flanked by party colleagues and witnessed by more than 100 local and overseas journalists, the five handed their letters to Legislative Council secretary general Pauline Ng Man-wah. Their resignations take effect from Friday.