HONG KONG – Strong language suits political circles here. Often, it’s the only appropriate thing.

Hong Kong’s political system drips with decay. Unfairness and the gangrene of an unelected leadership rot everything. The resulting stench drifts across Victoria Harbor, choking the city’s democratic aspirations and feisty spirit.

In the much-manipulated Legislative Council (Legco), three independent-minded and popularly elected members, Albert Chan, Leung Kwok-hung and Raymond Wong, all from the League of Social Democrats, stand apart. Bluntly, they speak their minds, causing intense discomfort among the illegitimate governing class.

Recently, Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang, chief secretary for administration Henry Tang and Legco president Jasper Tsang, among others, denounced the League trio for using “profanities” and “unparliamentary language”. This time, the offending phrase, fired at government officials and policies, was “pok kai”, meaning “drop dead” or “collapse in the street”.

“Lawmakers are representatives of the public and role models for students. They should refrain from committing a nuisance,” said Legco’s Cheung Man-kwong. “You can have radical views, but civilized words should be used.”

Another Legco member, Wong Kwok-hing, scolded: “Lawmakers should be self- disciplined, say no to incivility and cultivate virtue.” A third, Chan Kam-lam, warned that rowdy language in Legco may spoil Hong Kong’s image as an international financial centre.

What nonsense! It’s precisely because politicians serve as role models that they should inspire future generations by forcefully opposing unfairness and injustice. Only Chan, Leung, Wong and a few others do this.

“Pok kai!” Drop dead! Go to hell! That’s exactly the fate Hong Kong’s political system deserves. Corrupted to keep power away from the public, it favors business tycoons and bow-to-Beijing apologists. Quiet acceptance of this is what threatens the city’s image.

This putrid political system contains so much that’s wrong. The League of Social Democrats, their strong language and forceful demonstrations rank high among the few things that are right. Chan, Leung and Wong must continue to speak loudly using all the means at their disposal and all the words in any dictionary, English or Chinese!

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