Beware the lunatic ideas on the loose in Hong Kong

There are times when you wonder whether the lunatics are on the verge of taking over the asylum. And then there are the times when you become convinced they already have. Now is just such an occasion. No fewer than three areas of public life are the subject of proposals so irrational that the ordinary spectator can only gasp out loud.

First is the government decision to impose limited sanctions against the Philippines because of President Benigno Aquino's refusal to apologise publicly for the bungled bus hostage rescue of 2010.

Second is the suggestion from some in the pan-democratic camp to organise a block resignation from the Legislative Council so that the ensuing by-elections will create a "referendum" on democracy.

Third, on a lighter note, is the idea being floated to establish a new political party based on the Heung Yee Kuk.

Let's start with our southern neighbour. The killing in Manila of eight Hongkongers by a former police officer, and the serious injury suffered by others, was a tragedy. The Philippine leader should have come out and apologised right away. But he has decided - and publicly announced - that he is not going to do so. That is a major error for which he deserves to be roundly criticised.

Instead of doing this and moving on, our government has devalued its own travel advisory system and suspended the visa-free entry arrangements for a limited category of Filipino officials. This is a step on a very long and slippery slope.

What will we do when he still hasn't apologised in a few weeks' time? Fresh ideas are already out there. Bar all visitors from the country. Send all the domestic helpers packing. Introduce trade embargoes.