'Long Hair' seeks court ruling on
oath
HONG KONG - In a new challenge to Beijing, newly-elected Hong Kong
lawmaker Leung Kwok Hung yesterday filed a court order enabling him
to take a pro-democracy swearing-in oath opposed by Chinese
officials.
The maverick politician also asked the High Court to rule on
whether the oath he has chosen to make violates the city's
mini-Constitution - known as the Basic Law - and related laws, as
alleged by local officials.
Mr Leung's version of the oath keeps the entire contents of the
standard one, but also emphasises that he would bear allegiance to
the people of China and Hong Kong, fight for democracy and justice,
and defend human rights and freedoms.
'I hope the court can issue an order for the head of the
secretariat of the legislature to administer the oath for me,' Mr
Leung, also known as 'Long Hair', said.
The Legislative Council is to be sworn in tomorrow.
Since his shock victory in the Sept 12 poll, Mr Leung has dominated
local headlines for his salvoes against the government.
The court will start a hearing today to decide whether to deal with
Mr Leung's application, and the earliest a decision might be made
is tomorrow, a judge said.
But even if the court decides to consider his application, a ruling
on whether to issue the requested order and on the wording of his
oaths will take a few days at least, and will not be made in time
for the swearing-in.
The legislature's secretariat has notified Mr Leung it would not
administer the oath, meaning he would be disqualified as
legislator.
Undeterred, Mr Leung vowed yesterday that whatever the outcome of
the hearing, he would turn up for the ceremony, but left a question
mark over whether he would bend to government pressure or resign
his seat. -- Reuters, AFP
