Low attendance by lawmakers yesterday forced suspension of a Legislative Council meeting and created an even greater risk that incoming chief executive Leung Chun-ying's government restructuring plan will be abandoned before the legislature's term ends on July 18.
The plenary session was halted after just four hours when the number in the chamber dwindled to 29, one short of a quorum. Absentees included 14 pro-government lawmakers and 17 pan-democrats.
Legco president Tsang Yok-sing said he would seek lawmakers' consent for round-the-clock meetings in July to clear the backlog of outstanding business.
The backlog consists of 10 government bills, including measures to ban unfair trade practices and to regulate sales of new flats, and 17 government resolutions, including one on Leung's revamp plan.
The whole process of restructuring will have to begin again in October if not passed in the current term.
Democratic Party vice-chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing apologised on behalf of four absent party members, saying they had other engagements and did not intend to cause the suspension.