Letters | Hong Kong in trouble needs a Lee Kuan Yew figure, but who can fill that role?

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Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang speaks to then chief secretary Carrie Lam during a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on October 1, 2015. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 6:40am, 31 Aug 2019Updated: 6:40am, 31 Aug 2019

Many years ago, Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew coined the term “minister mentor” for himself. The Chinese version of the term means a senior statesman and a top political adviser. Hong Kong desperately needs such a person.

Among Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s three predecessors, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is the most suitable candidate but he is conspicuously absent for a good reason. Despite his acquittal by the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Tsang has yet to be fully rehabilitated.

Such a rehabilitation would have to be witnessed by the public in Hong Kong and mainland China, and the world business community. It would not just be compensation for his legal fees but also for the tarnished reputation of the former chief executive, a senior government servant for almost five decades.

It is time for the Lam to get herself a trusted and powerful adviser who can communicate with the top leaders in Beijing and convince Hongkongers that nothing will be done in the next 28 years to alter the Basic Law.

Maybe for the sake of goodwill and smooth administration, it’s time also to renew the Basic Law for another 50 years. Meanwhile, Hong Kong needs a great trouble shooter. Donald Tsang, break a leg.

Khaw Wei Kang, Shenzhen