Hot Search

Loading ...

Legislator Nathan Law

2017-06-11
Dear Josef,

It was a blissful weekend in Prague, thank you for showing me life at the other side of the globe, after running a hectic conference with activists and scholars around the world. Last time I mentioned to you the situation of life for youths in Hong Kong, the discussion and debate are still very much alive at home.

Twenty years after the transfer of sovereignty to China, friends at my age still can’t see positive prospects in this city and have mostly lost hope - and I don’t blame them. The stagnant social mobility is hardly a sign of a promising future. It is not only youths who are frustrated either, their families and friends also face problems of their own when it comes to education, professional careers, retirement, and other social welfare. Although Hong Kong is not a full democracy, the disappointment with the current regime is enough for citizens to doubt the effectiveness of such a system, and they thus search for other alternatives.

But such a situation is not only local in Hong Kong, the loss of faith in democracy is becoming a global phenomenon, as I have learnt during the conference in Prague. Terrorism, social and economic disappointment seemed to have brought democracy to its knees: in the US, people started doubting democracy as the scandals unfolded one by one following Donald Trump’s victory last year; This week in the UK general election following Brexit, there was no manifesto, only calls for strong leadership. Similar to their counterparts around the world, with no stable jobs, housing supply, and social benefits, Hong Kong citizens find it difficult to stay steadfast on this rocky road to democracy. They question whether it is plausible to adopt such an ideal - although we are way behind full democracy. More and more people even started to consider authoritarianism as an alternative, as long as a system would ensure at least a certain degree of stability.

The US, Japan, and Latin America in particular are fostering closer economic ties with China, and amid the diplomatic chaos and instability in the Middle East and Gulf countries, people refuse to care about politics, direct participation is becoming feebler. What worries me most is that global leaders give in too easily. They look for lucrative benefits at the expense of their people’s basic freedoms and human rights, precisely in the latter, there lies a bottom line that we must never give up.

China may have a thriving economy, where a 7% growth in GDP is considered a disappointment, its social welfare system is still far behind; but people often forget the price at which it comes. Every time, it’s the powerless who pay for the price - those in power get more powerful, and the unscrupulous earn and own everything - and as usual, China hid such problems because they need to present the image of an empire, often sacrificing the truth and going the extra mile to suppress any threat possible.

Last week, I went to the vigil to commemorate the victims of the Tiananmen Massacre, the sea of candlelight once again reminded the world of the truth of the most violent regime on the planet. We gather together every year to remind ourselves to stand up against autocracy, and to prevent the shameful part of history from repeating itself.

After the victory of the unpopular Mrs. Carrie Lam as the next Chief Executive in Hong Kong, a series of political persecution was ignited and put into action. The politics of fear seems to have made its way back into the heart of the city, as my colleagues Ivan and Derek were arrested at their homes in the early morning in April, along with other leaders from the Umbrella Movement. I personally am a victim of similar suppression from the government, and may lose my seat in the Legislative Council. The constant fear for one’s safety and possible jail time has deterred many from active political participation. This, is a manifested proof from those living under an autocratic regime.

Josef, you may say, Democracy isn’t perfect. In fact, Churchill said that, ‘’Democracy is the worst form of government... except for all the others.’’ The fact is we need democracy, we need a structure which can guarantee a monitoring mechanism, we need the reassurance for the well-being and welfare of Hong Kong people - but faith in the idea is weak right now, and can hinder democratization. We need to make political participation meaningful again, so that the public may find personal fulfillment in doing so, instead of being trapped in desperation and cynicism. We want to empower the people, so they too may speak on their own behalf, and not only through the mouthpiece of someone for whom they didn’t even vote. This empowerment can help build more favourable conditions towards full democracy.

The ex-president of your wonderful country Havel once said, “The real test of a man is not how well he plays the role he has invented for himself, but how well he plays the role that destiny assigned to him.'' I cannot guarantee that I will be a great man, and full democracy is still a faraway goal, but I promise you that I will guard and persist until the day we get there.

Hoping you are well,

Nathan

Letter To Hong Kong

                                                               
Politicians and public figures from a range of backgrounds take turns to have their say on important matters of the day in this personal view programme.

Catch it live: Sunday 8:15am - 8:25am

Podcast: Updated weekly and available after broadcast. 
Back To Top