Popularity built on shaky foundations
The results of today's SCMP/TNS opinion leaders survey on the first-year performance of Donald Tsang Yam-kuen have laid bare the shaky foundation of his seemingly high popularity.
With a mere mean score of 5.4 points out of 10 in overall government performance, Mr Tsang has failed to shine in opinion leaders' ratings on a long list of policy areas, specific incidents and developments.
They include better environment, rich-poor gap, quality of human resources and education and progress on constitutional development. A high disapproval rating was recorded over the handling of the Tamar project, the relationship with the pro-democracy 'opposition' camp and the Grand Promenade saga. Positive ratings over the hosting of the WTO ministerial conference and a five-day working week for civil servants pale into insignificance.
Overall, the Tsang administration was rated highly for keeping economic growth on track, marginally positive for pursuing better governance, but given a fair pass for fostering harmony. Superficially, the mixed ratings are not in line with the prevailing feel-good mood towards Mr Tsang and government. A detailed survey on opinion leaders' assessment on specific issues exposes undercurrents of dissatisfaction.
Although they are happy with the full economic recovery, it is clear they are not impressed with the government's work on a range of issues close to their hearts, in particular cleaner air, the plight of low-income earners, measures to lure talent, and a universal suffrage system.
Given the fact the economic rebound is largely due to cyclical and external factors, opinion leaders, who can be classified as the highly educated, upper middle class, do not seem to have given high ratings to Mr Tsang. Instead, they have deducted marks because of the lack of concrete achievements on issues such as the environment.
That explains why support for his re-election stood at 52 per cent, which is lower than similar surveys among the general populace.
Mr Tsang may still feel relaxed about the city's feel-good atmosphere. The survey findings are a timely reminder for him to take concrete measures on such issues as environment and poverty.
