Commanders release joint statement after letters by alleged disciplinary services members criticising police handling of Yuen Long violence pop up on social media
Chief Executive Carrie Lam has the full support of five disciplinary forces in Hong Kong, according to a joint statement.The heads of five disciplinary forces in Hong Kong jointly condemned the recent violent events in Hong Kong and pledged “unwavering” support to Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the government in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement was issued in response to reports of open letters written by alleged disciplinary services members that were released on popular social media platforms, including local forum LIHKG. The letters raised questions about the delayed arrival of police during the attacks by a mob dressed in white in Yuen Long on Sunday.
The statement stressed that the combined disciplinary forces have been upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong and striving to maintain its prosperity and safety. It was jointly issued by the Director of Immigration, Tsang Kwok-wai; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Hermes Tang; the Director of Fire Services, Li Kin-yat; the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Woo Ying-ming; and the Controller of the Government Flying Service, Michael Chan.
“We strongly condemn the recent violence outbreaks that have harmed the social order… and put the public safety at risk,” the statement, released on the government’s website, read.
“The disciplinary forces will stay united, continue to do their utmost in upholding Hong Kong’s rule of law and give unwavering support to the Chief Executive and the HKSAR Government in effectively administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law.”
The statement, however, did not point out who was responsible for the violence outbreaks, and did not mention the police’s delayed arrival.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, some members claiming to be members of Hong Kong’s disciplined services published open letters online. They expressed concerns over how the police handled the attacks on passengers and journalists in Yuen Long by a mob dressed in white.
This came after the assault happened on Sunday night, where the mob wearing white T-shirts stormed Yuen Long MTR station and attacked members of the public with sticks and iron rods, injuring at least 45 people.