Lau Wong-fat, treated last night for flu-related lung problems, was at the centre of the city’s failed political reform vote in June
DANNY MOK AND GARY CHEUNG
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 17 November, 2015, 10:21am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 17 November, 2015, 12:58pm
Former Heung Yee Kuk Chairman Lau Wong-fat (centre) attending a reception in June. Photo: Sam Tsang
The son of rural kingpin and lawmaker Lau Wong-fat has dismissed speculation that his father was in critical condition and described the visits of some political parties’ leaders to his father as “vote-begging”.
The 79-year-old former Heung Yee Kuk chairman and former Executive Council member was last night in Baptist Hospital, where he was treated for lung problems occasioned by flu.
Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Lau’s son who took over the Heung Yee Kuk chairmanship in June, said his father’s condition was stable and okay.
READ MORE: Hong Kong lawmaker Lau Wong-fat denies he’s quitting Legislative Council
“Some political parties wanted to secure the support of indigenous villagers in the New Territories ahead of Sunday’s district council election by expressing concern for my father,” Lau said.
Kingsley Sit Ho-yin, the elder Lau’s brother-in-law, said he had influenza but was definitely not critically ill.
“He is mentally sound though he struggles to walk as his legs are feeble. He still bet on horse racing on Saturday,” Sit said.
“He left Baptist Hospital earlier and returned to his home in Tuen Mun,” Sit said. “But he suffered from flu recently and he went back to the hospital more than a week ago after heeding his doctor’s advice.”
Lau (left) with fellow lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, meeting the press outside Legco after Lau missed the vote on political reform. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Rumours arose last night that Lau was in critical condition, triggering visits paid to him by prominent figures in the pro-establishment camp including Tam Yiu-chung, a lawmaker of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
Tam was seen arriving at the hospital about 7pm, with fellow party members and lawmakers Ann Chiang Lai-wan and Ben Chan Han-pan.
Chan said Lau was sleeping when they met him, whose appearance was no different from usual.
“He hasn’t got any thinner ... he was put on an IV drip and wearing an oxygen mask,” said Chan, who last saw Lau in June.
People Power lawmakers Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and Albert Chan Wai-yip were also in the queue of visitors yesterday.
“He was awakened when we arrived at about 3pm. He greeted us and said some brief words. His hand still felt firm when I held it,” said Raymond Chan.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said she had heard of rumours about Lau's deteriorating health yesterday but was assured by legislator Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, who had also paid a visit, that he was in fine condition.
"I visited [Lau] some time ago when he was first hospitalised to do an operation," she said. "I'll find an opportunity to visit him again."
READ MORE: Hong Kong reform package rejected as pro-Beijing camp walk out in ‘miscommunication’
The powerful rural kingpin announced in May he would relinquish the chairmanship of the Heung Yee Kuk after 35 years at the helm of the statutory body representing indigenous New Territories residents and acting as chief negotiator in talks between villagers and the government.
Days after he became the centre of a controversial walkout during a Legco vote on electoral reform in June, the Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker rejected rumours he was set to quit the Legislative Council due to poor health.
He said in a statement: “My health condition is improving. And I do not think there are any reasons for me to resign at this point in time.”
Known to Hongkongers as “Uncle Fat”, the veteran power broker manoeuvred the corridors of power under both colonial and post-handover governments over the decades.
He first made his mark in 1960 when at 24 he became the youngest ever village head, and then rose to the post of Tuen Mun rural committee chairman in 1970.
His fight to insert an article in the Basic Law to ensure protection of indigenous interests after 1997 was seen by rural leaders as a key contribution.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1879715/save-your-vote-begging-hong-kong-lawmakers-visit-rural
