Leung Chun-ying stumbles on illegal additions to his Peak home

A deeper look at Hong Kong's new chief executive

Leung Chun-ying is due to take office as Hong Kongs chief executive Sunday, anointed by Chinese President Hu Jintao, just at the time Tropical Storm Doksuri appears to be scheduled to arrive and head directly up the Pearl River.

There is more than one storm brewing. Hu has expressed confidence in Leung despite the fact that the incoming official is mired in controversy after the Chinese-language Ming Pao Daily reported last week that Leungs residence on Victoria Peak, the lofty enclave for the rich, powerful and famous, featured an illegal glass canopy extension. Buildings Department inspectors found five other violations. The rest of Hong Kongs press has taken up the chase although Leungs supporters say the violations are relatively minor and were added to the place before he bought it 10 years ago.

However, what the revelations do is add to concerns that go beyond the violations in themselves. Leung so far has shrugged off allegations of being a closet communist, of conflict of interest in the West Kowloon design selection process, of urging riot police action on the 2003 public rally against a proposed draconian security bill that brought an estimated half million protesters onto the streets, of taking instructions from the united front plotters at the China Liaison Office and now of violating the buildings code.

Much of this has slid off without sticking -- so far. Conducting a media pack through his HK$500 million residence, Leung explained that when he bought the twin-lot property, he had an authorized person inspect it for compliance with buildings regulations. He promised to rectify the infringements immediately.

Leung talks the talk

There is only one law for all in Hong Kong, rich or poor, Leung said on Newsline, the ATV interview program hosted by Michael Chugani last Sunday. He made the comment in the context that the same rule should apply to himself and to the New Territories villagers who claim they should be exempt.

Leung has the ability to say the right things even when caught with his pants down. In politics that is a rare gift. Comparisons with the Teflon President Bill Clinton, who could look people in the eye and lie with a straight face, are not amiss.

Leung rarely gets flustered in public. He takes it all in stride like a hardened politician. He will not be scuppered. He puts on the long-suffering look of the misunderstood. Colleagues who have worked for decades with him have difficulty penetrating his inscrutable personality. Nobody really knows him. The old establishment of senior civil servants, property tycoons and university academics have major reservations.

See more here:
Leung Chun-ying stumbles on illegal additions to his Peak home