Former Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Nelson Wong Sing-chi has had his party membership frozen for his vocal push for his party to accept the framework set by the decision of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) regarding electoral reform, on Aug 31 last year.

The DP central committee put Wong's membership on hold on Thursday night. This was because Wong initiated an open petition earlier this week. The petition had urged his opposition allies to pass the reform package if certain conditions were met.

Wong is the party member to be penalized since the rule came into effect in 2012 - he also faces a disciplinary inquiry. Party chief Emily Lau Wai-hing said Wong's action was damaging to the DP. Lau warned Wong not to contradict the party's position in future.

Lawmaker Albert Ho Chun-yan proposed the motion to penalize Wong, who earlier delayed his plans to resign and trigger a de-facto referendum. Only one out of 22 top members voted against the motion.

But while the committee was discussing Wong's fate, the alienated former legislator and welfare worker held a press briefing in a nearby room. This was to announce he had put his short-lived petition on hold.

Wong told reporters he had made the concession in consideration of "difficulties" faced by his party. Despite bitter feuding, Wong said he would still try to retain his membership.

Wong's plan had long encountered disapproval from DP leaders. But other opposition parties have also become involved. Neo Democrats' Gary Fan Kwok-wai earlier accused Wong of helping his party to betray their pledge not to vote for reform.

But Wong stressed that he still wanted the electoral reform package to clear the legislature.

James Sung Lap-kung, a City University of Hong Kong political scientist, holds a different view. He believes the lukewarm reaction to Wong's initiative for a petition may have also contributed to his change of heart.

The hard-line reaction from the DP leaders could draw questions over its tolerance of diversity. As moderate voices become increasingly marginalized, Sung said the divided party could eventually break up.

Another democrat, Tik Chi-yuen, defended Wong's actions. Writing in an op-ed on Thursday, Tik criticized the leadership for blocking dissenting voices.

He condemned the party for being "ruthless". "Not only is it a misfortune for Nelson Wong. It is even more of a misfortune for moderates and pragmatists," he wrote.

Tik is also an adviser to the Our Hong Kong Foundation, founded by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.

kahon@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 05/22/2015 page3)