Hong Kong leadership race underdogs pan CY Leung’s proposed policies

Regina Ip and Woo Kwok-hing sceptical of plans to abolish MPF offsetting mechanism; say chief executive did not deliver on manifesto

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Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee (left) and Woo Kwok-hing at an earlier exhibition organised by the Society for Community Organisation in Sham Shui Po, highlighting the appalling living conditions of some locals. Photo: David Wong

Published: 11:28pm, 18 Jan 2017Updated: 10:48am, 19 Jan 2017

Two people hoping to succeed Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying have promised to undo some of the proposals spelled out in his swansong policy address.

Seen as underdog contenders, the two rivals – retired judge Woo Kwok-hing and lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee from New People’s Party – were united in their attacks on Leung after his final policy speech on Wednesday.

Both doubted that Leung’s promise to scrap the Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting mechanism would succeed, with Woo adding that he would definitely drop Leung’s plan to pursue developing country parks.

“Leung’s government is now actually a caretaker one. It only has some five months left. He should not try to write down so many policies. He should leave them for the next government to decide,” Woo said.

He called Leung’s idea of using land on the periphery of country parks to build public flats “controversial” and troublesome for the next administration.

On the offsetting mechanism, Ip said: “I have reservations about the idea. I don’t think the business sector will support it. And employees will see their benefits cut.”