When the filibuster aimed at blocking the controversial by-election amendment bill entered its third round on Wednesday, the pro-establishment camp demanded a marathon Legislative Council meeting to push through the bill. These lawmakers seemed to think it was a big deal to attend an overnight sitting. What a joke! To many public servants such as firefighters, police officers, and immigration and hospital staff, long hours and overnight duties are common. I don't see why legislators are so different.
During the marathon session, it was embarrassing to see the pro-establishment camp use different ways to complain about the filibuster while the Democratic and Civic parties kept only some of their lawmakers in the council, allowing the rest to go home. No responsible lawmaker in any assembly outside Hong Kong would have done what they did. Our lawmakers refused to even fulfil their basic duty to attend meetings. They should all be disqualified.
This bill is a blatant disregard of our electoral rights and the right to vote and be voted into public office. It goes against the democratic principles that the majority of Hongkongers hold dear. The democrats, by not giving their full support to the attempt to block the bill, should be ashamed of themselves for failing to defend these rights.
The filibuster was eventually killed by Legco president Tsang Yok-sing on Thursday. But with some 1,300 amendments to the bill, voting on them alone will take two to three days.
Tsang's action killed more than just the filibuster; it destroyed Legco as a legislative body. He acted unilaterally in suppressing the different views in the council.
According to the Basic Law, there are no specific guidelines on how the council president should act in relation to meetings or unusual circumstances. But article 92 of the house rules says the president may, if he thinks fit, be guided by the practice and procedures of other legislatures.