[2014.01.14] ANTHONY WONG IS TURNED AWAY AT THE GUILD

Astrid Chan claims that she did not call Anthony Wong to the meeting

Wong Cho Nam poses for pictures with Anthony Wong outside

Anthony Wong pretends to have a seizure after being turned away

Members only

Anthony Wong tosses out the guild insignia

Wong Cho Nam awkwardly runs into Anthony Wong outside

Jacquelin Chong's dignity is hurt from being turned way

Koni Lui

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Anthony Wong wants to run for Guild president but is turned away

Astrid Chan claims that she is acting according to the process

Jacquelin Chong

Eric Tsang said that the ajourement permits more time for the committee to prepare for the election

Susan Shaw supports Anthony Wong online

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Hong Kong Performing Artist Guild after Eric Tsang Chi Wai's resignation had a internal storm during its new presidential election. Former executive committee member Astrid Chan Chi Ching declined to permit Anthony Wong Chau Sun to apply for the Guild instantly and run for the chair. She felt that it would be unfair to other nominees. Vice president Michael Miu Kiu Wai arrived for an understanding and announced that yesterday's votes came to a close.

Chau Sun felt angry. He felt that he followed the guild process but was sent away. He claimed that Chan Chi Ching was impolite and the process was against guild rules. Honorary committee member Susan Shaw Yam Yam yesterday online supported Chau Sun. She yelled at someone for acting on her own will and without the knowledge of guild president Chi Wai calling the meeting to close out of fear that someone would become the chair. Chi Wai stressed that there was no conspiracy. Everyone was acting for the good of the PAG.

Anita Mui Yim Fong, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau Tak Wa and other artists founded the Hong Kong Performing Artist Guild, which has been in existence for 20 years already. Tsang Chi Wai last year could not come to an understanding with the Directors' Guild over the government issuing additional free television licenses and resigned from his post. Wong Chau Sun then expressed interest in running for president and said that he would form a team.

Chau Sun yesterday went to vote for the president and brought many cabinet members who were not members yet like Jacquelin Chong Si Man and Koni Lui Wai Yi, but were turned away. Chau Sun felt that he was not respected. Yesterday he remained angry. "The entire thing is embarrassing and gross, turning into a big joke. The rules clearly stated that they can immediately hand in their applications, become members and be qualified to vote for executive committee members. The Guild rules are laws. The last time I met with Chi Wai, he said that too. However when we got to the door Chong Si Man and others were turned away, and (Charmaine) Fong Ho Man had to fill out the form next to garbage. It was like her (Chan Chi Ching)'s words were edicts but what I talked about were laws. Even when colleagues came over and greeted them, what they did was very impolite. How could they help artists find benefits? Why would an executive secretary like her have so much power? When Vice President Sam Gor (Miu Kiu Wai) arrived to get an understanding the meeting was finally called to a close. I have looked into it. This meeting violated a lot of Guild charter meeting processes. What she did was impeachable."

Chau Sun said that his cabinet originally included Chan Chi Ching because he felt that she could understand Guild business. He hoped for unity and harmony in its operation, but now seemingly they could not communicate at all. Would he meet with Chi Wai to talk about continuing his run? Chau Sun said, "I won't approach Chi Wai. Let him take care of internal business first. I still haven't decided whether I will continue to run, because I need other members' willingness to help again to be able to. How do I cross the river without a boat? A canoe is the hardest to row!"

The PAG executive committee honorary member yesterday attended the meeting. She originally planned to vote, but the meeting was adjourned. She angrily wrote online, "Today I went to vote for a Guild president but when I got there the meeting was adjourned. Tsang Chi Wai was still on a flight, who was powerful enough to call the meeting to a close? Willing to act but not willing to admit, this is a dictatorship. All because of fear that someone would become the president. The planning was great, unreasonable, too rude!"

Shaw Yam Yam supported Chau Sun and pointed out that only president Chi Wai could make the decision. Yet the meeting was adjourned before the president even knew about it, making many elderly members waste a trip. She was very angry. "There have been past examples of members immediately handing in applications to join, why were Chau Sun and the others not permitted for immediate admission? If even Chi Wai said that he accepted that, then I have nothing left to say." Shaw Yam Yam admitted that Chau Sun was her choice for president, but estimated that after the incident it would be harder for Chau Sun to win.

Chi Wai yesterday stressed that there was no conspiracy theory. "I only found out about the meeting coming to a close when I got off the plan. Chau Sun's previous crew included some non members. Chau Sun and I both told them to fill out the applications first, then hand them in and they would be fine. However the old executive committee wanted to follow the process and they had to be members first." Who decided to adjourn the meeting? Chi Wai said, "The old committee. Sam Gor is the vice president, but he still needs to pass the committee." Chi Wai felt that if the election went on as usual yesterday then there would be a conspiracy. The adjournment at least permitted everyone to have time to handle matters, but the Guild must elect new committee before January 23. According to rules members would select 21 committee members, then they would vote for president and other posts among themselves. Chi Wai hoped to be present on the election day.

Chong Si Man said that the situation at the time was very awkward. "I was the first to arrive at the PAG, but I was kept from entering the office and was told that after handing in the form it needed two days for approval. It also required performing artist contract as proof of identity. After Chau Sun arrived he fought for everyone. I understood how he felt when he exploded, but according to Chan Chi Ching the charter and the current rules are different. They both made sense." She hoped that artists did not need to provide contracts since it was privacy.

Lui Wai Yi said that earlier she heard admission could be immediate, but she saw the closed door meeting notice. However she would not be scared away. As a part of the circle she wanted to support it. She wanted to vote for Wong Chau Sun after being admitted.

The PAG Executive Secretary Chan Chi Ching said that she only acted according to the rules, as all documents must be submitted and approved by the executive committee. Earlier she already explained the process to them. Out of fairness to other members, they held a meeting to approve yesterday's voting adjournment.