Speaking on radio programme, city’s top official blamed his low poll numbers on need to make ‘difficult choices’
TONY.CHEUNG@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Friday, 15 January, 2016, 11:28am
UPDATED : Friday, 15 January, 2016, 2:42pm
Things are not looking up for CY Leung’s approval rating. Photo: SCMP pictures
Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying has dropped the strongest hint yet that he could be seeking a second term next year.
Leung, whose popularity dropped to a new low this week, was speaking on a radio programme on Friday morning to talk about his latest policy address when he was asked to comment whether popularity will be an important factor in the coming chief executive election.
“I have my own view about it, but it’s up to other candidates as to how they comport themselves,” Leung said, suggesting that he could be in a race and he expected competition.
READ MORE: Hong Kong chief executive’s policy speech hits a new low in opinion poll
When asked whether he was indeed considering himself as a candidate, Leung said: “No, it was a general question ... I was a candidate [in 2012], the candidates I ran against probably have different views of their popularity and how important popularity was to their candidacy.”
Watch: What issues should CY Leung have talked about in his policy address?
On his unpopularity, Leung maintained that he has to make “difficult choices” on issues such as housing and land and added: “I do not seek popularity when it is a choice between it and producing results.”
Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah has been regarded as a possible candidate in the race next year.
When asked whether he would have hard feeling if members in his administration felt able to run for the top job, Leung said: “No, not at all, it’s an open and fair election.”
Today’s remarks are the closest he has come to saying he is throwing his hat into the ring again. On Thursday, in response to questions about re-election, Leung said “I am not considering re-election at the moment. I am now focusing my mind on implementing the policy address.” Leung did not repeat that line on Friday morning.
Later, when asked when would be the appropriate time for him to decide whether to seek a second term, the chief executive only said: “Not today”.
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The chief executive of Hong Kong was elected by a 1,200-strong committee which consisted of members from the business, professional, social and political sectors. In 2012, Leung won with 689 votes.
During the radio programme, Leung also reiterated that the government is seeking an answer on the mysterious disappearance of bookseller Lee Bo “from all levels” of mainland authorities. But he refused to say whether he had or would contact President Xi Jinping on the issue.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1901293/hes-more-unpopular-ever-hong-kong-chief-executive-cy-leung
