- Winners were activists, students, first-time candidates, workers and professionals.
- They defeated entrenched councillors, including some who had served for decades
Hong Kong's pro-democracy candidates swept aside their pro-establishment rivals in a political tsunami on November 24, scoring a massive victory in Hong Kong's district council elections
The winners were first-time candidates " some in their 20s " students, ordinary workers and professionals. They defeated entrenched councillors, including certain veteran officials who had served for decades.
The pan-democrats won 392 of 452 seats, nearly nine out of 10. The pro-establishment camp now has 60 seats, far from the 292 they held before last month's polls.
The status quo has been reversed. Pro-establishment councillors had dominated all 18 district councils, now pan-democrats hold the majority in 17 districts. Only the Islands District Council is still "blue", run by the pro-establishment camp.
The Post spoke to the winners about what happened " and what they plan to do.
Winner: Lester Shum, 26, works at lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick's office; co-leader of Occupy protests; former deputy general of Hong Kong Federation of Students
Where: Hoi Bun, Tsuen Wan district
Lester Shum says he is not celebrating his district council win, despite defeating an incumbent councillor who had served the Hoi Bun constituency for almost 30 years.
Shum, a 26-year-old former student leader, said he believes many of the 5,117 votes he received were not cast for him personally, but were "political votes" motivated by months of protests.
"There is blood on the ballot papers," he says. "What should we be happy about?"
He was referring to sacrifices made by anti-government protesters since June, especially those who were arrested and injured.
"I think all the pro-democracy winners should realise this, unless they have done very solid work in the community," he says.
He defeated Chow Ping-tim, a pro-establishment independent veteran who was Hoi Bun's councillor for 28 years.
There is blood on the ballot papers. What should we be happy about?Lester Shum, winner in Hoi Ban district
If Shum seems somewhat gloomy, it might have something to do with his experience. He became a household name 2014 as the deputy secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students and a co-leader of the Occupy movement which shut down parts of Hong Kong for 79 days.
The pro-democracy movement failed to move Beijing, and his close allies " Joshua Wong Chi-fung, Alex Chow Yong-kang and Nathan Law Kwun-chung " were jailed for their part in the civil disobedience. Shum escaped jail but received a suspended sentence.
After the 2014 protests, the pro-democracy camp splintered, with critics blasting Occupy leaders for being too moderate or weak.
Compared with all that happened before, Shum says the months leading to the district council elections left him with a sense of relief and freedom.
Instead of taking up a leadership role in the unrest like he did five years ago, he says that this year he was one of the many black-clad protesters.
Joshua Wong, Lester Shum and others admit to contempt of court in Occupy case
Shum began doing community work in Hoi Bun in January, well before the protests erupted in June. He says he felt a sense of progress after residents across age groups supported him.
Being a familiar face from Occupy helped, he says, because he did not have to spend time introducing himself and explaining his political stance.
"But there are also people who question my commitment and ask if I am only using the constituency as a stepping stone to enter the legislature. I can only prove it with my actions," he says.
Shum promised to set up a platform for residents in the constituency to exchange ideas and push through changes, a bottom-up process through which he would not make all the decisions.
Winner: Jordan Pang Ka-ho, 21, student, pan-democrat independent
Where: Central and Western District Council, Sai Wan
At the age of 21, University of Hong Kong student Jordan Pang Ka-ho was just old enough to run in last month's district council elections.
But he unseated 45-year-old pro-Beijing lawmaker Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan by almost 800 votes in the Sai Wan constituency, a pro-establishment stronghold since 1994.
Pang is unfazed by his new responsibilities, he says, and promises to be a diligent member of the Central and Western District Council.
Brushing aside questions about his youth, he says: "The situation would be the same even if I were 40 years old. It doesn't matter that I am young, so long as I am willing to learn."
A fourth year student in politics and public administration, he took a "gap semester" to run for office, contesting as an independent.
A student activist, he is acting chairperson of the Hong Kong University Student Union's Current Affairs Committee. He says his parents were not against his running for office, but urged him to keep a low profile.
The situation would be the same even if I were 40 years oldJordan Pang, Central and Western District Council
While Pang was looking for a place to set up his office, his opponent Cheung's old office was sprayed with graffiti criticising the veteran politician for "selling out Hongkongers" by backing the now-withdrawn extradition bill.
Pang says he was always interested in local politics, but never considered becoming a politician until the protest movement took off this year.
"I wanted to be a civil servant and work in policymaking," Pang says.
He has since changed his mind about how much civil servants can achieve, saying: "Sadly, it doesn't matter if you have good ideas, obedience comes first."
Although he is a Sha Tin resident, Pang says he chose to contest in Sai Wan as it is where he spends time as a student.
"I think this area has an interesting atmosphere, it is a mixture of old and new buildings," he says.
Sadly, it doesn't matter if you have good ideas, obedience comes firstJordan Pang, Central and Western District Council
Apart from dealing with traffic and public hygiene issues, he says he wants to do more for the elderly, especially those living alone.
"I plan to do home visits in partnership with non-governmental organisations to learn their needs," Pang says, adding that he hopes to form a team of volunteers to do repairs in the homes of the elderly.
When he starts work as Sai Wan's district councillor next month, it will also be time to return to school.
Travelling between his constituency and university takes just about 15 minutes, he says, and he intends being at his office from Monday to Friday.
"Think of me as a full-time councillor who also studies," Pang says.
Winner: Dalu Lin Kok-cheung, 31, former creative director in advertising, Tai Po Democratic Alliance
Where: Kwong Fuk and Plover Cove, Tai Po District
With his round glasses, long hair tied into a bun and goatee, 31-year-old Dalu Lin Kok-cheung is easily recognised by his constituent. Many call out to him as he walks through Kwong Fuk Estate in Tai Po.
One woman tells Lin to stay safe, referring to a spate of attacks on pro-democracy lawmakers and activists during the past six months of Hong Kong's anti-government protests.
Lin is nonchalant. He says it is naive to run for office and not be prepared to face risks.
He stood in the Kwong Fuk and Plover Cove constituency of Tai Po District and won 3,768 votes, almost 1,000 more than incumbent Wong Pik-kiu, a 16-year veteran of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the city's biggest pro-establishment party.
Lin quit his job in advertising to contest the elections and drew attention with his eye-catching campaign materials featuring vintage Hong Kong designs.
This election was one in which people showed that they want more political powerDalu Lin Kok-cheung, Kwong Fuk and Plover Cove constituency
He ran on a community revitalisation platform, promising to cut waste and increase recycling, and provided boxes for people to recycle his fliers. He also placed his face on quirky, colourful banners so people would recognise him.
He jokes that one of his banners was stolen "not for political reasons, but probably because someone stole it to cover their things".
The Tai Po council had 13 pro-establishment councillors and six pan-democrats before the polls. The pan-democrats now hold all 19 seats.
Lin says the result showed how dissatisfied voters were with the government, especially the way the police handled the protests.
"This election was one in which people showed that they want more political power. Some things only become precious when they are being taken away," he says.
Since the pan-democrat camp's landslide victory, he has noted that voters have become more interested in political issues " as opposed to being more concerned about livelihood matters.
I think separating politics and livelihoods is no longer appropriateDalu Lin Kok-cheung, Kwong Fuk and Plover Cove constituency
"This election is not just a political statement. I think separating politics and livelihoods is no longer appropriate, as the two are connected and residents think of both together," he says.
Lin is not concerned about his lack of experience, He says he will welcome advice from his council colleagues, but apply his own judgment.
The first thing on his mind is revitalising the old market in Plover Cove Gardens, which is in the district where he lives.
"I am worried about disappointing my voters," Lin says. "Their hopes are now on me, so I do feel panicky."
He says he is aware that district councillors have limited power, but that a lot depends on how elected officials pull together to make an impact.
"I hope we can be more united and not give up the fight over small political power plays," he says.
Winner: Chan Tsz-wai, 27, lift worker, pro-democracy independent
Where: Jordan South, Yau Tsim Mong District
No one was more surprised after pan-democratic independent Chan Tsz-wai won the district council election in Jordan South constituency than Chan himself.
The 27-year-old lift worker defeated incumbent Chris Ip Ngo-tung, 39, who had served since 2008 and was Yau Tsim Mong District Council chairman in 2016.
Chan won by just 65 votes " quite a victory for the young man who finished Form Five but failed all his subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. He was even rejected for a job as a district council worker.
Ip, a rising star of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, has a master's degree from Chinese University and had spent years as a full-time councillor.
He said Chan's victory "does not make sense" and only reflected voters' overwhelming dissatisfaction with the government.
Right now, however, the winner has some immediate matters to deal with.
District council chairman needs police escort after protesters chase him
His most pressing concern is to submit his declaration of election expenses by the December 29 deadline.
"It is quite a headache because some of my documents have gone missing," he says.
He also needs an office in his constituency, but that must wait until he has the HK$30,000 (US$3,800) he estimates it will cost.
Chan has put the office on hold until after the first district council meeting next month, when councillors will get approval for an advance of two months' salary.
The councillor's monthly pay of HK$34,000 is more than he earned before, and Chan intends working full time.
"I have always been interested in jobs serving people but, sadly, I was not given a chance," Chan says.
He said after he was rejected for jobs in district offices or service centres he became a convenience shop worker and lift worker.
I will hire those who truly want to serve with their heartChan Tsz-Wai, Jordan South constituency
Upfront about his poor school record, he knows what he is looking for in his assistants.
"I will hire those who truly want to serve with their heart. I will not place much value on experience or qualifications," Chan says.
He has pledged to fight for the setting up of a task force at the district council to investigate what happened at Prince Edward MTR station on August 31, when riot police entered the station and a train to disperse the crowd.
When Chan beat Ip on November 24, he immediately gained notice. In the run-up, his simple photo and handwritten manifesto contrasted with Ip's slick campaign materials.
Some liked his "ordinary boy" appeal, but others rebuked his education record and questioned his ability to be a councillor.
"That is my shortcoming and may indeed affect my work," says Chan, acknowledging that his poor English may be a hurdle in communicating with his ethnic minority constituents.
"But I want to drive change, and residents share this wish."
Winner: Sze-to Pok-man, 28, social work graduate student, pro-democracy independent
Where: Shap Pat Heung West, Yuen Long District
Political newbie Sze-to Pok-man had only one goal when he decided to run in the recent district council elections: he wanted to see a real contest in all 452 constituencies across Hong Kong.
Two months before the November 24 elections, he announced he would stand in the Shap Pat Heung West constituency in Yuen Long.
Few imagined the 28-year-old pan-democrat with no roots in this part of the New Territories stood a chance.
Yuen Long has long been a stronghold of rural patriarchs who held such a tight grip on local politics that councillors would win unopposed " or after infighting within the pro-establishment camp.
Sze-to also chose to stand in Shap Pat Heung West " one of the last four constituencies in Hong Kong without a democrat challenger as of September.
And he could not have had a more daunting opponent than Leung Fuk-yuen, 62, one of the area's wealthiest men, an indigenous power broker whose family roots run deep and a staunchly pro-Beijing politician of three decades.
Hong Kong power broker Leung Fuk-yuen says he will continue in politics
Undeterred, Sze-to ventured to Yuen Long, an area he was not entirely familiar with despite having visited before.
As an independent, he needed to get a group of supporters. He realised there was a glimmer of hope when he went around collecting nominations from residents and the response was positive.
"People were touched because they had waited for many years. They saw hope," says Sze-to, a former journalist who is pursuing a master's degree in social work at the University of Hong Kong. "They have yearned for someone to bring change to the neighbourhood."
He says there were indigenous residents who were pleased he was contesting there, but some were reluctant to openly support him.
Sze-to grew up in Sai Kung, also in the New Territories, and is a nature lover with an interest in farming. He admits he knew little about Shap Pat Heung West before signing up for the race.
"I tried to engage residents to join my campaign and we drafted the election platform together," he says. "A lot of problems have accumulated over the years, such as buses which never show up on time, and they are glad that someone is finally going to fix it."
Sze-to says while he went around introducing himself and handing out pamphlets, his opponent put up banners in every village making it appear that he was the only candidate endorsed by villagers.
They have yearned for someone to bring change to the neighbourhoodSze-to Pok-man, Shap Pat Heung West constituency
The contest was "civilised", he says, and he was never intimidated or disturbed in any way while canvassing for votes.
Sze-to says his election bid was prompted by the protest movement, and he was inspired by the many Hongkongers he saw making sacrifices to fight for greater democracy and preserve Hong Kong's freedoms.
He will be cooperating with the other pan-democrats in the Yuen Long District Council. Some want a task force set up to look into a mob attack at the Yuen Long MTR station on July 21.
He says his unexpected success is a reminder to the pro-democracy bloc to drop some of their stereotypes.
"No democrats have previously invested resources in these rural constituencies, thinking there was no chance of winning," he says.
"But indigenous people are not necessarily pro-government. There are people among them who are liberal and pro-democracy."
Reporting by Jeffie Lam, Sum Lok-kei, Zoe Low, Kimmy Chung
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
