Hong Kong Riots: Outspoken lawmaker Junius Ho talks to CGTN
Updated 23:08, 30-Aug-2019
Lawmakers in Hong Kong who have spoken out against the protests have become targets for hate mail, threats and vandalism. One of them is Legislative Council Member Junius Ho. Our reporter Ge Yunfei spoke to him about his views on the unrest and the abuse he has received.
Hong Kong legislator Junius Ho is famous for his outspoken, fiery attitude and his solid pro-government stance.
The 57-year-old lawmaker staunchly supports the decision by Hong Kong Police to buy three water cannon trucks in the Legislative Council.
On the night of August 28th, for the first time, police used the trucks to deter rioters.
JUNIUS HO KWAN-YIU LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, HONG KONG "It was a good start, although the effect itself was not too pleasing. I guess it will take some more time for the operator. But nobody would want to see all this sort of heavy weaponry vehicles to be called into use unless otherwise, the situation wants it to be used."
Protesters accused Ho of involvement in the white-clad mob attack on July 21st, which he adamantly denies.
On July 23rd, the graves of Ho's parents were vandalized and desecrated.
JUNIUS HO KWAN-YIU MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HONG KONG "How could it be right for people like me to be outspoken to face this sort of revenge, so to speak, by people who thought that I had the different view or different standpoint from them."
Every week, Ho conducts three late-night live-streams on Facebook, talking to supporters about his political views.
He admits that the on-going protests will have an impact on the district council elections in November.
JUNIUS HO KWAN-YIU LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, HONG KONG "From the recent result of the registration of the voters, a majority of them are the young voters and the percentage is particularly high. So, therefore, there may be a suggestion or the hints that in the forthcoming district council election, the young people may come out to vote on their candidate."
He has kept a long record of every anti-fugitive bill protest since June, including the number of participants, location, demands, and the use of violence.
JUNIUS HO KWAN-YIU LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, HONG KONG "I come to the conclusion that nobody could just do it, if not otherwise with a very big mastermind behind. Over what they describe a million to join the march, not only at the streets but in different locations at the same time. If you break the law, you break the law, there is no marginal. I would say that all this sort of talk is nothing except for trying to justify their position in breaking the law, in advancing the ulterior purpose. They are actually trying to seek for Hong Kong Independence."
Ho says he doesn't know when the crisis in Hong Kong will end, but he is calling for the government to launch the anti-mask law to mitigate the intensifying violence in the city. Ge Yunfei, CGTN, Hong Kong.