GOING HEAD TO HEAD
Alan Leong:
'The government policy on heritage conservation is like riding a roller coaster. First you ordered the Star Ferry clock tower to be knocked down brutally, with the debris dumped without a trace within a day. Then you wrote a soothing 'Letter to Hong Kong' [on conservation] and then on Monday came the consultation released by Patrick Ho. There seems to be a major change ...
'I'd like to ask if you have abandoned your elitist and patriarchal leadership .. or are you merely giving a response to the people whom in your view are blinkered [like frogs at the bottom of a well] and difficult to deal with?
'Someone in the neighbourhood asked me 'Is the chief executive playing us for fools?' How come there has been no follow-up proposal since the consultation two years ago?'
Donald Tsang:
'I admire your sarcastic rhetoric and have much to learn from you. But leave the debate to another occasion.
'Let's not talk about the Star Ferry pier. Works are under way and there isn't much room to manoeuvre. As far as our policy on heritage conservation is concerned, we do have to take a fresh look in a humble way. That's why my colleagues and I believe in.
'Even if we have a policy recognised by the community, it may not win endorsement from everyone. Overseas experience has shown that people still tie themselves to buildings being demolished. That's a natural phenomenon and we should be prepared for that.'
