2024.08.28

In the case where 47 pro-democracy figures were charged with “conspiracy to subvert state power” relating to the New Territories West primary elections, those who pleaded guilty, along with Leung Kwok-hung and Ricky Or Yiu-lam, who were convicted after the trial in the New Territories East primary elections, continued their plea on Wednesday (28th). The session addressed the pleas of Carol Ng Man-yee, Roy Tam Hoi-pong, and Ricky Or Yiu-lam.

The domestic helper who has taken care of the family of Andrew Wan Siu-kin for nearly 16 years also attended the session. She testified that Wan was a good employer who helped solve her problems and mentioned that she has been following the case and visiting him since his arrest. She said that when she misses the Wan family, she looks at their photos on her phone, planning to “stay here until he is released.”

Former chairman of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, Joe Wong, described Carol Ng Man-yee as brave and resilient. “It’s rare to maintain faith in adversity, something I admire.” A “student” of Ricky Or Yiu-lam noted during a visit last week that Or seemed “less active and a bit depressed,” and expressed hope that Or knows “there are people supporting him,” given his lower profile.

Leung Kwok-hung, Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, Sam Cheung Ho-sum, Prince Wong Ji-yuet, Ng Kin-wai, Andrew Wan Siu-kin, and Kwok Ka-ki completed their statements on Tuesday (27th), and on Wednesday (28th) the court dealt with the pleas of Carol Ng Man-yee, Roy Tam Hoi-pong, and Ricky Or Yiu-lam. According to what the reporter saw at the scene, about 30 people were in line around 8 a.m., fewer than the previous day. Former members of the Hong Kong Alliance, Tsui Hon-kwong, and the wife and sister of Lee Cheuk-yan, the former secretary-general of the Confederation of Trade Unions, Elizabeth Tang and Dang Yinli, were also present in court to listen.

Andrew Wan Siu-kin’s Former Domestic Helper: “They Treat Me Like Family”

Andrew Wan Siu-kin’s former domestic helper, Lala (pseudonym), queued up to attend the event, saying she had taken care of Wan’s family for nearly 16 years and had gone on trips with them. Lala repeatedly described Wan as a good employer who solved problems for her, and she also loved Wan’s two children dearly, saying, “They don’t treat me as a domestic helper, but like family.”

Lala also mentioned that Wan’s arrest brought significant changes to the household, which deeply saddened her. She said she has been attending the trial and was in court the day before, noting that Wan was happy to see her. Over the years, she has visited Wan in detention, observing that he has lost a lot of weight and joked with her, saying he is even thinner than her. Lala stated, “I have always supported him from the first day he was arrested. Even when he was in jail, I went there from time to time to visit him.”

She also mentioned that she now works for Wan’s other family members and, when she misses the Wan family, she looks at their photos on her phone, saying, “I will stay here until he is released from jail.”

A student of Ricky Or Yiu-lam: “I hope he knows that there are people supporting him.”

Ah Si, who lined up outside the court around 7 a.m., mentioned that Ricky Or was her mentor during her studies, primarily discussing life planning with her and meeting every six months. Ah Si, who also tried to attend the previous day but couldn’t get in due to the crowd, described Or as “tough in expression but emotionally rich inside.” She also mentioned that Or encouraged her to try new things, which she did.

Ah Si mentioned that since Or has been detained, she visits him more often than when she was studying. Initially, during her visits, Or was talkative and encouraging, but she felt he was “less active and a bit depressed” during her visit last week. Ah Si added that Or is not very well-known and expressed hope that “he knows there are people supporting him.”

Former district councilor describes Carol Ng Man-yee: “She’s also a mom.”

Former chair of the Confederation of Trade Unions, Joe Wong, who met Carol Ng during union director training, praised her for fighting for workers’ rights and justice, saying, “The Carol I know is very brave, very strong, and very resilient, and she remains so to this day,” and “She herself is already very strong; what we can do is to offer our concern and blessings.”

Joe Wong said during his visit to Carol Ng, “She would encourage us to turn things around,” and mentioned learning a lot from Carol Ng, “Maintaining belief in adversity is very rare, and I admit I am nowhere near her level.”

Former member of Eddie Chu Hoi-dick’s New Territories West team and former Tuen Mun District Councilor, Lance Yan Pui-Lam, noted that many of the defendants are friends, primarily hoping to see Eddie Chu. Regarding Carol Ng’s plea today, Yan mentioned having interacted with her during past social movements, also highlighting that apart from her public role, “She’s also a mom.”

Yan expressed the hope to support and stand with the defendants by attending the hearing and also to reconnect with political figures, “to see old friends from the activism circle and check how everyone is doing.”