Jewellery company PR chief makes fun of women molested at HK rallies

Even as some Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters began leaving the city's Mong Kok area yesterday, one woman's comments about them must still rankle.

In posts on her Facebook account, Ms Joanna Kot, the deputy head of public relations at major jewellery retailer Chow Tai Fook, made fun of women protesters who claimed they had been molested, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Ms Kot wrote: "Molested? Remember not to report to the police; revolution requires sacrifice, fighting for democracy is above the law. "Those anti-Occupiers are 'peacefully' molesting you.

You should be understanding! LOL!"

The company was quick to post a statement on its website and Facebook page: "It is with much regret that the words posted by one of our staff members on her personal Facebook account have aroused discontent among members of the public.

"We hereby clarify that any individual staff's personal words and opinions have no relation with the company."

Ms Kot appears to have deleted her social media accounts and could not be contacted for comment.

Chow Tai Fook, owned by billionaire Cheng Yu-tung, confirmed that Ms Kot is an employee in charge of product promotions.

Facebook users were not placated by the company's move.

One user wrote in reply to Ms Kot's statement: "Think about your comments and do some soul-searching.

How can you face your female friends around you? How do you expect respect from men?"

YOUTUBE CLIP

Meanwhile, a video posted to YouTube appears to show a female protester being molested by a pro-government supporter.

In the clip, a crowd of men is seen pulling at the dress of a middle-aged woman. When a younger woman comes to her aid, the men grab her breasts.

The police lead the woman away, but do not appear to make any arrests.

Meanwhile, a university student, Mr Harry Lam, told SCMP that he had received WhatsApp messages saying he would be paid HK$500 (S$80) if he went to Mong Kok to intimidate the protesters.

He said he knew of others who had accepted the offer and received payment. Mr Lam thinks the money might be coming from the mainland.

This article was first published on Oct 6, 2014.
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