There's an old saying that no power in Hong Kong has either the tenacity or the audacity to take on the indigenous community. The community has shown itself to be one of the most well-knit and cohesive political forces in the city.

Indigenous people consider their status and rights as impermeable, non-negotiable and unassailable.

For almost nine decades since the Heung Yee Kuk came into being, it has remained the sole, legitimate voice of the indigenous population, which currently numbers about 300,000.

The number of indigenous inhabitants in the New Territories may have dwindled over the years as a result of aging and mass migration, but the spirit and endeavors that have held them together have never been stronger. The confrontation with the government over tough building height restrictions on their homes and unlicensed building additions has been a case in point.

Villagers have risen up, to defend their "sacred rights" and traditions to the "last drop of blood" as they characterize their resolve.

Controversy has also been stirred over the "Small House Policy" upholding the customary right of indigenous male villagers to grants of land. The tradition has been criticized as discriminating against women. The Small House Policy is an issue that remains unsettled.

The Heung Yee Kuk (meaning village consultation committee) was established in 1926 to work with the government and engage in negotiations to preserve and promote the welfare of the indigenous population. Initially headquartered in Tai Po, the Kuk has gradually transformed itself from an agricultural organization into a full-fledged political entity. It was given formal status under the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance (Chapter 1097), first enacted in December 1959.

The Heung Yee Kuk functional constituency in the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections was created in 1991.

Veteran village leader and businessman, Lau Wong-fat, took the seat from 1991 to 2004, and has been the Kuk's LegCo representative since 2008.

The moment of glory came, says Kuk Vice-Chairman Daniel Lam Wai-keung, with the inclusion of Article 40 in the Basic Law which states: "The lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories shall be protected by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."

(HK Edition 07/05/2013 page8)