Handing out sweeteners would not be a cure-all remedy to stem the plunging popularity of new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, according to a veteran politician.
Dr Leong Che-hung (pictured), 73, former lawmaker and chief of the Hospital Authority, ended his seven years' tenure on the Executive Council as Leung took office on Sunday.
Instead of sweeteners, the new administration should provide a blueprint to tackle health care, the ageing population and the wealth gap, said Leong.
'Why don't we argue less over political issues and focus on livelihood problems?' he asked.
'I think the silent majority [in Hong Kong] will not hold their hands up expecting sweeteners. What they hope for is a good blueprint and ways to achieve it. I think this - rather than just sweeteners - will give confidence to Hongkongers,' Leong said.
'Handing out sweeteners, to be frank, can give instant pleasure but may not be good in the long run. I firmly believe in the Hong Kong people, and believe that many Hongkongers will not be satisfied even if the government hands out money.'
His remarks came as Leung's support rating slid to a new low - down to about 51 points out of 100 - since his March election victory, as shown in separate polls by the University of Hong Kong's Public Opinion Programme and the Chinese University's Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies.