HKTV chief Ricky Wong gives first hint he voted for CY Leung in 2012 Hong Kong chief executive election
Ricky Wong suggests he supported man whose government denied him a licence
Technology and media entrepreneur Ricky Wong Wai-kay yesterday dropped a strong hint that he voted for Leung Chun-ying when he served on the Election Committee that chose the chief executive in 2012.
The revelation, if confirmed, is likely to be seen as the latest in a series of decisions that have not produced the result Wong would have wanted.
In 2013, the Executive Council, chaired by Leung, denied Wong's HKTV the free-to-air television licence he craved, sparking protests. But in April, the High Court ruled that the decision was unlawful, meaning that Exco must reconsider HKTV's application. Exco has since appealed against that decision.
Wong has also launched HKTV as an online entertainment and shopping venture.
In an interview in Chinese-language newspaper AM730, Wong said: "I did not vote for [Leung's election rival] Henry Tang [Ying-yen]. I went to many talks at universities, and many said they would choose Leung Chun-ying. So I just wanted to tell them that we need to learn about participating in politics, and in society's fight for democracy."
AM730 ran the story under a headline saying "Wong does not regret voting" for Leung, but Wong did not elaborate in the story on whom he voted for. Wong could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Former Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan, the third candidate in the 2012 poll, suggested Wong was extending an olive branch to Leung.
"He's implying that he supported Leung; it's a gesture of good will in the hope that Leung will stop suppressing him … It's sad if business people are made to show their fear for the government," Ho said
Weighing in on the political scene, Wong said he had noticed Hongkongers appreciated frank politicians.
"I appreciate [Legislative Council president Jasper] Tsang Yok-sing a lot; I don't know him personally, but he's someone who speaks when he needs to. Lam Tai-fai and James Tien Pei-chun" are also that kind of politician, he said, referring to the outspoken lawmakers in the pro-establishment camp.
Last month, Tsang hit out at some "incredibly stupid" government officials for spreading rumours that his brother, Tsang Tak-sing, retired as secretary for home affairs because Beijing was unhappy with his "unsatisfactory performance".
