LIKLN
2019-8-9 01:34:33
【Open letter from a group of HKJC staff to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer】
To Chairman Dr Anthony W K Chow SBS JP, CEO Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges JP
We are a group of staff of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Regarding the development of the Anti-Extradition Law Movement starting June 9 and the current situation of Hong Kong, we wish to express the following:
The crisis stemming from the Fugitive Offenders Bill arises out of Carrie Lam’s dictatorial arrogance, her assuming she can do whatever she wants when she is in the seat of authority. The voice of one million people who took to the street on June 9 requesting withdrawal of the Bill fell on deaf ears and it was announced on the same night that second reading of the bill would take place as scheduled. It triggered fierce fight by the public on June 12 and sparked mass confrontations and clashes between the Police and protesters. The Police used inappropriate and excessive force to disperse protesters. Carrie Lam subsequently announced a stop to all legislation work on the Bill but not stopped short of withdrawing it. The anger of the Hong Kong people has been escalating since and incessant protests have led to another serious issue of abusive use of force by the Police. That deteriorated into the Yuen Long July 21 triad gangsters’ indiscriminate attack on citizens. The assault scenes shocked the world. But even more shocking was failure on the part of the Chief Executive, the Secretary for Security and the Commissioner of Police to investigate whether the Yuen Long Police or senior members of the Police force have condoned the triad gangsters’ attack with prior knowledge.
We, as HongKongers, believe Hong Kong is now in a deep political crisis largely because of serious faults in Carrie Lam’s arrogance and her questionable ability to lead the administration and her arrogance. The Government has lost its moral high ground after the Yuen Long violent attacks as it is perceived to have given a freehand to the triad gangsters to attack citizens without forcefully pursuing the grave matter. In a strong contrast, the Government has swiftly arrested and charged 44 protesters with rioting offence for the Sheung Wan clashes. Hong Kong’s law and justice are being despicably trampled, and it is blatant for all to see. It saddens all Hong Kong people.
Hong Kong Jockey Club is an important organization in our society: much more than simply a betting organization, HKJC is a multi-social service provider, non-profit making entity, a conservation work promotor, and a charity organization held in high regards by the public. We urge you, in the capacity of the Chairman/ CEO of HKJC, to issue a public letter to Carrie Lam requesting her to agree to the public’s well-known 5 demands in order to help rebuild confidence in the society. And throughout the Anti-China-Extradition Movement, many members of the police force have been seen in severe violation of the rules and regulations applicable to disciplinary services of Hong Kong; we hope HKJC will request the Security Bureau to demand proper execution of practices of the police force including but not limited to showing warrant cards.
In the Yuen Long attack, the Police is widely suspected of collusion with triad gangsters. This has seriously damaged the trust in the Police. We urge HKJC to scrap police outposts at HKJC sites, and replace them with HKJC’s own security staff.
Carrie Lam treads on justice and ignores opinions of the Hong Kong people. No due condolences have been expressed over the injuries and the suicides of the young. Instead, delay tactics have been used to try turn things things around (in vain of course); there is no sincerity to resolve the persisting conflicts. In view of this, we, a group of staff, hereby officially ask HKJC, in public, to cancel the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup on the first racing day this year.
LIKLN
2019-8-9 01:34:46
We look forward to receiving a public reply from the Chairman/ CEO of HKJC before Aug 14. Should there be no affirmative responses to points 3, 4 and 5 above, we will work to rule and consider further strike actions in protest.