HONG KONG - AN eccentric democracy advocate who surprised skeptics by winning a legislative seat four years ago despite his long hair and radical street protests has shown that he's no fluke by comfortably winning re-election.
The repeat showing in Sunday's legislative elections by Mr Leung Kwok Hung, nicknamed 'Long Hair,' shows he has a firm following in Hong Kong despite often seeming out of step with the suit-and-tie, business-oriented community.
Wearing his trademark Che Guevara T-shirt in red, Mr Leung raised both hands in jubilation as results were announced on early Monday.
Several dozen supporters chanted 'Long Hair!' when Mr Leung retained the seat with 44,763 votes, or about 12 per cent, in a district contested by 10 different tickets.
Mr Leung said on Monday he won with the support of young and working-class voters.
'I'm a lawmaker that represents the grassroots. I will try my best to work for the grass roots and to fight for their benefits,' he said.
Mr Leung said the top priority for his second term was campaigning for a minimum wage in Hong Kong.
The son of a servant in a colonial British household, Mr Leung has been a fixture at local protests, yelling into bullhorns, burning flags and scuffling with police.
Riding on widespread outrage after the SARS virus outbreak and a controversial security bill, he shocked the local political scene by winning a seat in the 2004 legislative elections.
Mr Leung took his street tactics to the legislative chamber, shaking his fist and shouting, 'Long live democracy! Long live the people' at his swearing-in ceremony.
And he has kept protesting outside the chamber.
Most recently, Leung and a fellow activist were ejected from the main Olympic equestrian venue in Hong Kong for holding up a piece of paper that said 'No dictatorship' and chanting 'End one-party rule,' referring to the Chinese Communist Party's monopoly on power.
Other colourful personalities who won seats included Ms Regina Ip, who angered many voters five years ago when she promoted the national security bill at Beijing's behest as Hong Kong's security chief. She quit following the public backlash.
In making her successful comeback,Ms Ip said rap songs her supporters produced helped enliven her campaign. -- AP