Coronavirus, Designated Clinic and Illegal Street Performers; this government never listens: District Councillor
#FirstHand #Interview #Feb23
This is an interview conducted by our Be Water Team (GoHK) with Tuen Mun district councillor Lam Kin-Cheung on February 23, 2020.
GoHK : I understand there was a “Reclaim Tuen Mun” march initiated by residents today (Feb 23). Please tell us about it.
Lam: At 11am, we had a march to protest against the Yan Oi Polyclinic to be designated as a clinic for suspected coronavirus patients. After this march, some residents called for a rally at 2:30pm at Tuen Mun Park.
There were already a lot of police on stand-by at the park when the residents arrived. So, the residents only gathered outside the park, waiting for a better time to go inside.
When a group of residents started chanting slogans, the police became agitated, questioning why people in the park 'rallied' without having applied for a permit.
Clashes occurred on the overpass connecting Tuen Mun City Centre and Tuen Mun Park, as the police stopped and searched a first aider: The police raised the blue warning flag and then deployed pepper spray at the crowd. The officers accused people at the park of illegal assembly.
We all found this ridiculous because the park is a public space for recreation. It was the police who pepper-sprayed and intercepted people for no reason.
There was no illegal assembly, the park is naturally a place where people gather. I heard they arrested one person. What the police did was unreasonable and unnecessary. Those residents were only here to use the park. Nobody was behaving in an aggressive way.
So, I think it was not right for the police to disperse the crowd using pepper spray. If the police had just left, the residents probably would not have been so upset. The police started the fight.
GoHK : How about the march at 11am this morning?
Lam: That march ended quite quickly, may be because it was so early. I was not present actually.
My colleague, Alfred Lai, organized it. They did it to protest against the designation of the coronavirus clinic. The march ended at Yan Oi Polyclinic. It was peaceful. Of course, the was a heavy presence of the police still.
At Tuen Mun Park though, “da ma” (female, often Mandarin-speaking street performers) and their sing-and-dance troops started reappearing again recently. They were behaving in a provocative manner, calling out our district councillors. Today, they were not around but the police were here. So, we are not sure if it was just a coincidence.
GoHK: Like you said, it was on the news these past few days that “da ma” performers are back. Do you think the two issues are related - “da ma” and the rally?
Lam: Of course, the residents are upset that they (da ma) are back. So, they complained to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and asked them to crackdown on these illegal performers’ activities.
They’re gone today but then we get the police here instead. Whether the police got wind of these complaints somehow or they were told somehow, we don’t know. But we ended up in another clash because of this.
This is actually an issue with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and their inaction -
not amending the rules and regulations at the park with respect to illegal performances.
Then, the police are also at fault for not enforcing the laws with these “da ma” performers. Instead, they go after innocent residents. We all just want to have our peace and quiet back at the park. You can see today, people are so happy out enjoying the park. It feels like a park again.
GoHK: So there have been a few “Reclaim Tuen Mun” events already, what are the demands of Tuen Mun residents?
Lam : It’s simple actually. We just want peace and quiet to be restored at Tuen Mun Park so that it feels like a park again.
These illegal performers are creating disturbance and participating in indecent activities for their own financial gain. This takes away the right of other park users and this has been going on for many years.
Finally, we are able to find some peace with the help of Democratic party councillors and the cohesive efforts of area residents. We only have one single demand - for Leisure and Cultural Services Department to fulfill their responsibilities and restore the peace and quiet at Tuen Mun Park we used to enjoy.
People used to come here and enjoy pedal-boat rides. There are so many facilities here. There is a playground, modelled after playgrounds in other countries, with nice equipment. Parents would bring their children here to play and then on the other side of the park, there would be indecent performances going on or loud music playing.
GoHK : What kind of comments have you heard from the residents about this issue with Tuen Mun Park?
Lam : They’re unhappy, of course. Recalling the first time when was a “Reclaim Tuen Mun“ march, 10,000 people took part. Residents came out because they have tolerared it for years now and cannot do it anymore.
After that, we organized some meetings with area residents about Tuen Mun Park. We met with 40 to 50 residents every time, because these “da ma” or illegal performers have caused too much disturbance to people who live around here.
GoHK: During the CoViD-19 epidemic, many clinics are being designated as diagnostic clinics. Is it a concern that the next choice would be a clinic in Tuen Mun?
Lam : Yes, in fact the Yan Oi clinic has already been chosen to be a coronavirus clinic. Even though it has not been officially announced, we are certain that it has been designated as a clinic for suspected cases of the infection.
Today’s march was a protest against this designation without public consultation. The area around Yan Oi is densely populated with many residential buildings, and there is also an elementary school nearby. So, it is a threat to nearby residents.
This government never listens to our suggestions or comments. It is actually an autocracy.
GoHK : Did the government consult you beforehand?
Lam : They don’t consult the public first before designating these coronavirus clinics.
For example, Chun Yeung Estate [a public housing estate in Fo Tan] was ready for tenants to move in but now tenants are being asked to wait.
Some tenants have already changed schools for their children. These tenants have probably ended their lease at their current home but now they are just offering tenants $6,000 for compensation. So, this is another instance where the government is being unreasonable. People don’t want $6,000, they want a solution and an explanation.
The government never offers an apology. This is the government’s attitude right now.
GoHK : There is a lot of fear about the coronavirus. Where do you think the problem lies?
Lam : The government, of course. Take a look at neighbouring regions, things seem to be handled well in Taiwan.
They closed the borders quickly, ensured an adequate supply of masks and put a price cap on masks. Masks are sold at $2-$3 HKD each in Taiwan. And then the government will also supply for you. They have a production line as well.
We don’t have any of these here in Hong Kong. All the help has to come from our own initiatives. Carrie Lam was even telling citizens not to wear masks. They don’t think about how to resolve problems. All they do is deny there are any problems. When in fact, there is a shortage of masks in all of Hong Kong and even at hospitals.