Plans to open the airport with an online library of operational and maintenance (O&M) documentation for all systems came to nought because the authority could not decide on an appropriate electronic format. Instead, a huge library of hard-copy manuals and as-built drawings was handed over.

The authority's maintenance department probably does not understand how the electricity supply to the passenger terminal building was provisioned, or the manner in which the secondary (emergency) power supply works - how it can be programmed to cut in under specified conditions. When asked why the back-up power system failed to operate after the power outage, airport management director Howard Eng said it activates automatically only if the whole terminal is affected. This is ludicrous, rather like saying that a power cut to the top 10 floors of a skyscraper will not trigger a secondary power supply; the whole building has to be without power. What has happened to the planned redundancy of systems and power supply? This makes one wonder how much Mr Eng knows about the buildings his division is supposed to manage and maintain. If the secondary power supply has indeed been programmed to cut in only after loss of power to the entire terminal, is this a post-airport opening change which deviates from the original design?

There should be an independent review and audit of this incident to ensure that it is not a symptom of poor maintenance of electricity, lighting and ventilation and building management systems. Taxpayers should be reassured that those paid to administer this asset really know what they are doing.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Legislators must rule

The people of Hong Kong are in a fix. Since they lack the political power to express no confidence in the government, they have no option other than to demonstrate in the street.

We have parties which cannot govern, legislators who cannot legislate, civil servants who govern, and a chief executive selected by a committee.

Universal suffrage will have meaning only when voters have the power to elect and throw out governments. When legislators elected in September have no authority to run Hong Kong, it is a paradox of democratic failure. I wonder why we are voting at all.

Unless executive-led government is replaced by legislative-led government by amending the Basic Law, democracy will have no meaning in Hong Kong - even if a million people march on July 1 to demand it. Only by empowering legislators to run the territory will weight be given to the concept of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong.

ANNA NAIDU, Mid-Levels

Leader quality is the issue

Perhaps the issue in Hong Kong is not democracy, but effective leadership. When the current leadership team stands down, it will be important that those who replace them grasp the full complexity of their position and serve all of the people. The media should point to what is needed in our leadership, rather than call for changes in the way they are selected.

PAUL FLYNN, Sai Kung

Life-enriching TV

A Christian, I am overjoyed to have the chance to watch God TV in Hong Kong ('God TV is worrying', Sunday Morning Post, June 6).

It is so refreshing to have an alternative to the mind-numbing sex and violence that is the usual fare on television today.

If praying for peace in a troubled world is threatening to those concerned about Christian programming, they should change the channel. If one prefers sex and murder, then don't watch God TV. I prefer television that enriches my life and nourishes my soul.

RESA BURROWS, Tuen Mun

Ban cyclists, says ex-rider

Tom Jaros writes of the displeasure caused by some cyclists (May 30); Gordon Robinson's letter complains about this point of view (June 6).

Here is a former cyclist's opinion: Mr Robinson is correct in saying that cyclists are part of the traffic, not a separate species. But as with other forms of transport, cyclists should not unnecessarily cause jams or delays.

Cyclists cannot keep up with other traffic and our narrow roads make it difficult for trucks or buses to pass them. When I rode my bicycle to school, if these behemoths could not move to the outer lane to pass me, I yielded to them. Otherwise, in trying to overtake, they would collide with traffic in the next lane and/or run over me.

Two Sundays ago, while driving along Shek O Road on my motorbike, I had to slow to 30 km/h: ahead of me were five cars, in front of whom was a bus. What slowed us all down was an expat cyclist in front of the bus, going for a leisurely ride to build up his lungs and indifferent to the convoy he had built up behind him. We were not able to pass until about 3km later.

Would it really have ruined the cyclist's training schedule if he had pulled over to allow vehicles to pass? While I fail to understand why so many people run private cars in Hong Kong and do not use either public transport or bicycles, this one selfish act in the name of keeping fit made me side (unwillingly) with Mr Jaros - keep cycles off the road.

G. MARQUES, Mei Foo Sun Chuen

Compromise on smoking

I refer to Allison Jones' column 'Fighting the shame of being a non-smoker' (Sunday Morning Post, June 6).

I am a smoker, but consider myself to be a considerate one. However, the issue is not public health, but power.

While the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) and other anti-smoking groups appear to have only good intentions, they are unwilling to accept any sort of compromise. And Hong Kong University's Anthony Hedley wants a ban on smoking in all restaurants, even those with an outdoor or open-air section.

When I suggested to Dr Hedley that a more reasonable solution would be to require restaurant licences to have a blanket 'smoking' or 'non-smoking' endorsement (pick one when you apply or renew your licence) and to display the choice, he flatly dismissed the idea.

You see, Dr Hedley knows what is best for us, and he thinks adults cannot make an informed decision about where to dine. Let's face it, if a restaurant declares itself 'smoking' and business drops off, it would immediately apply to change its status to 'non-smoking'.

Dr Hedley then said: 'What about the workers? We must ensure a healthy workplace environment'. The funny thing is, when I asked him whether my home is a 'workplace' because I have a domestic helper, he evaded the question. Yes, ma'am. The good doctor wants to control how I do things in my own home. Fortunately, I am not noisy when I have sex, or I might find myself on the receiving end of a noise abatement order, too.

VINCE PINTO, Lai Chi Kok