Former chief secretary tells forum for chief executive candidates that online criticism has extended to supporters, including actress Josephine Siao
Considered Beijing’s favourite as Hong Kong’s next leader, claimed she had become a victim of “white terror”, accusing her opponents of resorting to rhetorical attacks against even those who voiced support for her bid. The former government No 2 also tried to play down the symbolic hug given by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa last December, saying they usually “hug as a greeting” when they meet, as sources said Tung had asked pro-establishment figures in Beijing to vote for “the person he had hugged”. Lam raised the “white terror” issue on Sunday during an otherwise bland forum in which she went head-to-head for the first time with rivals and. The two-hour forum, held at a primary school in Cheung Sha Wan, was organised by the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, which has 43 votes in the 1,194-member Election Committee that will pick the city’s next chief executive on March 26. The candidates took 13 questions from the 400 people in the audience. One question was about concerns that “white terror” could spread all over Hong Kong as even lawmakers could face lawsuits from the chief executive, a reference to incumbent over his receipt of HK$50 million from Australian firm UGL. Lam replied: “I have recently become a victim of white terror. Whatever I say will draw criticism on the internet.
