Daily Lessons from Life 18 February 2012 - HK leader candidate blames wife for 'underground palace'

"HK leader candidate blames wife for 'underground palace' - AFP 18 February 2012

China's reported favourite to become Hong Kong's next leader was under pressure to withdraw his candidacy on Friday after an illegal "underground palace" was found in his wife's home.

But Henry Tang vowed to fight on despite the discovery of the unauthorised basement den, reportedly featuring a wine cellar, a Japanese-style bath, entertainment suite and a workout room at the upmarket property.

The 59-year-old heir of a textile fortune said the illegal structure was his wife's idea, after media descended on the house and hired cranes to get a bird's-eye view of a glass-bottomed swimming pool above the basement.

"I apologise to all Hong Kong people," an emotional Tang told a hastily convened press conference late Thursday.

"It was my wife's idea and I knew they were illegal. Since we were experiencing a low ebb in our marriage...I did not handle the matter swiftly. I take full responsibility for the incident."

His comments -- taking responsibility while blaming his wife -- left many wondering if the man believed to be Beijing's favourite for the chief executive job has what it takes to lead the southern banking and trade centre.

Tang has the support of the city's powerful business tycoons but his campaign got off to a shaky start late last year when he publicly admitted to cheating on his wife of 27 years, Lisa Kuo Yu-chin.

A teary Kuo stood beside her husband then and again on Thursday as she admitted to arranging the excavations without Tang's knowledge.

"I'm very, very sorry."

Recalling Tang's earlier description of the den as a humble storage space, Chinese University of Hong Kong political scientist Ma Ngok said: "He has almost lost all his credibility ... he lied every day."

"Based on his conduct, his personality and his capability, he is not a suitable candidate for the next chief executive," said Regina Ip, chairwoman of the pro-Beijing New People's Party.

The Buildings Department said the Tangs would be ordered to "rectify all the the illegal structures". If they failed to do so the structures would be demolished.

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and authorities regularly prosecute residents for making illegal additions to their homes and businesses."

Well. What do you know. Politicians of all sizes and shapes are falling over themselves to get themselves in the WRONG light recently - for whatever reasons I do not know! LOL!!

Lessons for me:

1. Henry Tang did the right PR strategy - admitting mistakes BUT unfortunately blaming the wife is a BIG NO NO! Of course, the fact that he ALSO admitted to cheating on his wife of 27 years and was adopting a 'hands-off' approach to let her do whatever ILLEGAL modification to their house (I am assuming he NO LONGER lives there) is plausible BUT very shaky IF it was proven otherwise!!;

2. it is VERY LIKELY that while he adopt, half only in my opinion, the right PR strategy, the 'half-heartedness' of this attempt may blow up in his face IF he is FOUND to be totally aware but did not stop his wife from doing the modification and that he is still cheating on his wife! My sense is that he could be lying to cover the earlier lie on the home modification matter! We will get the truth eventually and hopefully I am WRONG!;

3. the photos of cranes hoisted high up above Mr Tang's home in focus are simply pathetic and sorrowful. How can anyone in such a high position in the government VIOLATE the rules of the land so blatantly? Like Ms Regina Ip alleged: Mr Tang has LOST all credibility with his supposed political backers in Beijing as well as with the people of Hong Kong. It is ONLY right for him to do the honourable thing of withdrawing, which many of us are pre-maturely saying he is, from putting himself as a candidate for the territory's Chief Minister job! For his sake, for his honour sake and for teaching future leaders what are the right things to do AFTER you have made terrible mistakes!!

Long live press freedom in Hong Kong. Long live democracy applied in the right manner in Hong Kong by the press and the people there! As for rogue politicians, beware. You have no where to hide if you are not sincere, honest and dedicated!