Tang goes for top HK role in face of scandal
Source: Agencies |
February 21, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TYCOON Henry Tang threw his hat into the ring to become Hong Kong's next leader yesterday, defying growing calls to quit amid a scandal over an illegally built luxury den under a swimming pool.
Tang, formerly Hong Kong's No. 2 official, has seen his popularity tumble over allegations of an extramarital affair, verbal gaffes and now the row over the basement in the grounds of a family villa.
What riled the public more than the basement, which newspapers reported as having a wine cellar, home theater, gymnasium and jacuzzi, was that Tang blamed the construction on his wife.
Despite calls for him to quit, Tang formally submitted his nomination to replace outgoing Chief Executive Donald Tsang yesterday after securing just 379 nominations from a 1,200-strong election committee.
Michael DeGolyer, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University, said 379 was an embarrassingly small number, given that Tang was "more or less undoubted frontrunner" until last Thursday.
C.Y. Leung, or Leung Chun-ying, a government adviser and surveyor, is Tang's nearest contender.
Hong Kong's former security chief-turned-politician, Regina Ip, also said she would run in the race to replace Tsang.
The election is on March 25. Tsang is barred from seeking a third term.
The nomination period began on February 14 and will run until February 29.
Tang was the second candidate to submit nomination papers after Albert Ho, a lawmaker who is also head of a local political party.
Tang, formerly Hong Kong's No. 2 official, has seen his popularity tumble over allegations of an extramarital affair, verbal gaffes and now the row over the basement in the grounds of a family villa.
What riled the public more than the basement, which newspapers reported as having a wine cellar, home theater, gymnasium and jacuzzi, was that Tang blamed the construction on his wife.
Despite calls for him to quit, Tang formally submitted his nomination to replace outgoing Chief Executive Donald Tsang yesterday after securing just 379 nominations from a 1,200-strong election committee.
Michael DeGolyer, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University, said 379 was an embarrassingly small number, given that Tang was "more or less undoubted frontrunner" until last Thursday.
C.Y. Leung, or Leung Chun-ying, a government adviser and surveyor, is Tang's nearest contender.
Hong Kong's former security chief-turned-politician, Regina Ip, also said she would run in the race to replace Tsang.
The election is on March 25. Tsang is barred from seeking a third term.
The nomination period began on February 14 and will run until February 29.
Tang was the second candidate to submit nomination papers after Albert Ho, a lawmaker who is also head of a local political party.
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