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Just who would vote for Regina?

Am I missing something? With all this talk about former secretary for security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, the launch of her Savantas Policy Institute and the possibility of her having a stab at the chief executive's office in 2012, has somebody omitted to tell her that she will need people to vote for her? Being a principled lady, I presume she won't stand if universal suffrage hasn't been delivered in six years.

My daughter's 94-year-old grandfather, who swam across Mirs Bay nearly five decades ago to get here, is not impressed. Quite a few of the crusty old boy's housing-estate buddies in Wong Tai Sin and Choi Hung feel similarly.

Mrs Ip and her minders might want to think about this when they are up there canvassing for votes and doing the associated baby-kissing thing.

JASON ALI, Sheung Wan

Model of caring

The Social Welfare Department would like to take this opportunity to explain to readers our proposed new service model for victims of sexual violence. The aim of the new model is to provide timely, professional and specialised services for victims of both sexes and their family members, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our concept is to provide a one-stop service to minimise the trauma and inconvenience victims may suffer by streamlining and better co-ordinating the services of different departments.

At the same time, the new model aims to make services easily and immediately accessible to victims across Hong Kong by significantly increasing the number of contact points. For example, we will provide services for victims in need of immediate crisis intervention in all hospitals that have an accident and emergency department.

Designated social workers will be available at the hospitals to provide counselling and co-ordinate the services of different departments and units, guiding victims through procedures such as medical treatment, police reports and forensic examinations - in a convenient, confidential and supportive environment.

We will also set up a 24-hour hotline, and arrange for social workers to provide immediate outreach and follow-up services. Social workers will act as case managers to provide or co-ordinate services. They will accompany victims through all necessary procedures and arrange temporary accommodation if needed. To ensure continuity, the same social worker will provide and co-ordinate follow-up services, including ongoing counselling and referral to medical aftercare, clinical psychological services, legal aid, housing assistance and support groups. They will also help victims facing court proceedings.

More comprehensive medical aftercare services will also be available to victims in four designated Hospital Authority clinics throughout Hong Kong. Meanwhile, a new crisis intervention and support centre will be set up, which will offer victims short-term accommodation.

We believe the new service model will enhance the flexibility and synergy of the services we provide, and offer victims of sexual violence more suitable care.

FUNG PAK-YAN, assistant director, development, Social Welfare Department

Arbitrary government

The government's stock response to calls for changes to harbourfront plans is a tiresome expression of moderation and planning wisdom. In different forms, it repeats over and over again: 'The outline zoning plans have gone through due process, including public consultation. If we continually review approved plans, it will impair the development of our city.'

But the government does change its plans. Tamar was zoned commercial, then changed to government use. West Kowloon was to be a green park, now it is targeted to become a cultural-commercial project. So why is it not rational and reasonable to have another look at harbourfront zoning, including in Central?

The current plans for Hong Kong Island's north shore started in the mid-1980s, and have been realised in Wan Chai and the Central ferry piers.

The latest outline zoning plan for Central and Tamar was completed in 2003. The government set up the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee the following year.

The Town Planning Board rejected calls in 2004 and last year to review the extent of the reclamation in Central, but did agree that there was good cause for looking at the planned developments.

This year, the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee has completed studies of Wan Chai and the Central ferry piers, identifying significant shortcomings at both. Although non-statutory, these events are part of Hong Kong's planning process, and create good cause for a review of the outline zoning plans for Central.

Under the Town Planning Ordinance, decisions to review plans are held to ransom by the government's discretion. An arbitrary application of that power impairs the development of our city.

PAUL ZIMMERMAN, Causeway Bay

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