Legislative Council president Tsang Yok-sing admitted yesterday that he failed to improve the public image of the legislature during his term.
But he was quick to defend his colleagues, saying that inadequate public understanding of Legco's watchdog role only magnified the negative impressions of legislators.
According to a University of Hong Kong survey, Hongkongers' dissatisfaction rate towards Legco was 49 per cent at the end of last year, compared to only 29 per cent less than four years ago.
The hurling of bananas and eggs, together with abusive language, also left a deep impression on the public.
Tsang's four-year tenure as Legco president expires next Tuesday, when Legco's term ends.
Speaking at a business lunch yesterday, Tsang conceded that 'my wish in 2008 was to improve the image of the legislature among the people. Now, apparently, this has completely failed'.
Tsang felt that the main reason was because the public did not fully understand Legco, which only magnified their negative ideas about lawmakers.