Monday was a defining moment for Chief Executive (CE) Leung Chun-ying to reject charges over his integrity. It is applauding to see Leung giving a full account to face the public at the Legislative Council as he pledged to be a CE for all. Unfortunately, his efforts have failed to put a full stop over his controversial unauthorized structures at his Peak home by appearing at the Legislative Council on Monday for questions.

Hopefully his full account could have paid heed to all concerns and remove suspicions for good. But realistically, it is a wishful thinking. Leung did not diffuse the political storm completely, but twisted it into a different direction. His replies in the interrogation on Monday dragged himself down into the political mud.

As predicted, Leung's replies were denounced by his critics and opponents as evasive and dishonest. Lawmakers from the opposition planned to step up challenges over Leung's integrity by kicking off the mechanism of impeachment after the motion to challenge his confidence.

Amidst sharp questions and harsh criticism from lawmakers, Leung apologized repeatedly for his negligence and poor handling of the controversy and delivered his first ever full account in person after publishing a written full explanation on newspapers last week. But again, in Leung's usual style of articulations, facts and details are provided about what had happened but without talking in political language.

In the one and half hour question-and-answer session, Leung failed to reinstate his integrity being intact and clean as the incident caused no damage to his name. This reassertion seems redundant but of utmost importance at this issue. To the disappointment of many supporters and loyal allies, he skipped the golden chance of denouncing the queries over his integrity.

When interrogated by barrister-turned lawmaker James Tien if he had committed an offence of illegal structures in this incident, Leung ducked the question and told lawmaker his previous perception at a particular point of time with an absolute denial. But for sanguine people taking into account of what have happened, Leung failed to reassure people of his innocence over the unauthorized structures row, although he admitted his misinformation and misjudgment over the nature of his unauthorized structure.

His timely account should have been thorough, comprehensive and to the point. Leung is wise to stay as humble as he had done throughout the Chief Executive race this March. But the procrastinated clarification over his unauthorized structures increased the impediments for a convincing answer to end the political crisis.

Leung should learn from this daunting controversy. But we heard a humble and detailed account of what has happened and what was in his own perception of reality. His previous experience unfortunately became his blind spot. His consultation with a friend in the profession for free advice became unconvincing.

Leung is anxious on abiding by legal compliance. Leung's professional expertise rendered him a self-made business leader in his profession. But it also renders people expectations of his prudent compliance and accurate interpretation of building ordinances. His answers are genuine and honest. But people perceived in their own readings and misinterpretations.

People tend to have blind spots on different areas, one way or the other. We cannot expect a political leadership of perfection. To err is human, in particular, on areas of personal concerns and private domains.

Leung has suffered stern criticism and unfair allegations of covering up this incident. In fact, from his full account, we see a humble and honest leader standing in front of suspicious lawmakers. But confrontational opponents misread him whatever he says. Leung's replies were not taken for understanding, but as bullets against him.

So far, the chance is slim for a triumph by the opposition lawmakers to kick off an impeachment on Leung. It was only supported by six radical lawmakers. But with the fuel added by Leung himself in the replies he made on Monday, it might increase the risk of soliciting more to pitch in.

The author is a veteran journalist and a current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 12/12/2012 page3)