Security chief had given no hint of the bill's fate
Ambrose Lee appears to have been in the dark, say politicians who met him
The Article 23 Concern Group yesterday urged the government to reveal the reason for the shock withdrawal of the bill, just one day after the security chief vowed to push ahead with fresh consultation this month.
Some politicians said the announcement had put Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong in an embarrassing position. They said he appeared to be in the dark about the government's plans on Article 23 when he met eight members of the concern group on Thursday to discuss the legislation.
After the meeting, which lasted for about 90 minutes, members quoted Mr Lee as saying he was aiming to put out a consultation paper this month, although he was not setting a deadline.
He also stressed that he was willing to listen and would present an assessment to the Executive Council after gauging the views of all concerned parties.
Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, Legco's legal sector representative and a member of the concern group, said they were surprised by the announcement because Mr Lee had not given any indication that the draft bill would be withdrawn. She said she believed the discussion was genuine.
'Mr Lee said he had to consult more people before making an assessment to Exco,' Ms Ng said. She urged the government to make clear its decision-making process to enhance its transparency and clear any doubts surrounding the decision.
Yeung Sum, the Democratic Party chairman, also met Mr Lee on Thursday with four of his party members. He too said he did not have the feeling that the draft bill was about to be withdrawn.
'The sudden announcement has put Mr Lee in a very embarrassing situation,' he said.
According to the Security Bureau's schedule, the security chief was due to meet members of The Frontier political group on Tuesday and the Bar Association on September 23.
Frontier legislator Emily Lau Wai-hing said Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa had made Mr Lee look foolish and put him in an embarrassing position.
'It's very weird that [the security chief] seemed to know nothing about it,' she said.
A government spokesman said the meetings would continue because it was an ongoing process for Mr Lee to gauge views on the government's handling of the legislation.
The spokesman also dismissed suggestions that the security chief had not played a prominent role in the decision-making process, saying he was present at a special Exco meeting convened yesterday morning to discuss the way ahead.
