Ng’s intransigent stance is unusual among the 45 opposition leaders convicted of conspiracy to subvert state power, many of whom are demanding a reduction in their potentially lengthy prison sentences in crucial mitigation hearings that resumed after a month-and-a-half adjournment due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Ng, who did not have legal representation, said he was involved in politics because he hoped to prevent an erosion of personal freedoms, expressing his disapproval of “arrogant” officials.
“Overbearing governance, draconian laws and harsh punishments can at best provide a stopgap solution. Society must find a way to solve its deep-rooted problems so that it can reconcile and achieve stability and prosperity,” he said.
Judges Andrew Chan Hing-wai and Alex Lee Wan-tang were seen resting their heads on their hands for most of the defendant’s hour-long speech.
Chan warned that Ng’s sentence reduction “should be significantly lower than the others” due to his late confession and lack of remorse.
Lee also expressed concern about the risk of the defendant reoffending, citing comments in which he said he hoped to make a contribution to Hong Kong after his release, despite the “many difficulties” he expected.
She highlighted the former Democratic Party MP’s contributions to the introduction of old-age benefits and reduced fares for the disabled.
In letters of mitigation written on Wan’s behalf, former labour and welfare ministers Stephen Sui Wai-keung and Law Chi-kwong and former transport and housing minister Anthony Cheung Bing-leung praised the ex-legislator’s “great passion for helping the underprivileged and vulnerable” and his peaceful and sensible approach to tackling social problems.
In a letter to the court, Leung described his decades-long pursuit of freedom and democracy and said only a dominant majority in parliament could “put enough pressure on the government to implement social measures that benefit people’s livelihoods.”
The experienced politician said he could not complain about the situation he was in and stressed that if the government’s work had actually come to a standstill due to an opposition-controlled parliament, it would have been the fault of the city’s head.
The court is expected to hear arguments on Wednesday from lawyers representing activist Carol Ng Man-yee and former district councillors Roy Tam Hoi-pong and Ricky Or Yiu-lam.