The crisis within the Hong Kong government intensified this week after the sudden resignation of Finance Secretary Antony Leung and Security Secretary Regina Ip, and speculation is mounting that more government ministers may depart the cabinet in the coming days.
"The situation is quite serious and volatile. If it is not handled well, those who are wavering now may make up their mind to go," professor of politics at City University, Antony Yeung observed in a recent interview, speaking as pressure intensified for Treasury Secretary Frederick Ma and Health Secretary Yeoh Eng Kiong to resign next.
The Health Secretary has faced much criticism for the government's handling of the SARS epidemic which claimed the lives of around 300 Hong Kong residents. Meanwhile, the Treasury Secretary has been widely blamed for playing a part in the 'penny stocks' crisis which caused billions to be wiped off the values of shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
With the government seemingly in disarray, Tung's tenure as chief executive is looking more uncertain by the day. After the recent protests against the proposed security laws, Tung was forced to confess at a press conference that a change of attitude was needed at the heart of government.
"The public has reminded me that I should adopt a modest, open and sincere attitude in order to win their trust and support," said Tung, adding that he was "greatly shocked by the mass procession," and admitting to suffering "a sleepless night" as a result.
"No matter how good my officials and I believe a certain policy is, we should not, and cannot, ask the public to accept it as a matter of course," the Chief Executive continued in a somewhat desperate bid to regain support amongst the territory's populace. "My colleagues and I accept these criticisms sincerely. We are seriously reviewing and looking at all these events with a view to learn from our experience," he added.
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