Newly elected Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has not enjoyed the so-called honeymoon period after taking office on July 1. There are numerous issues still plaguing him, from unauthorised building works found in his house to the government officials he appointed.
At the same time, he needed to tackle some thorny matters left behind by his predecessor: for example, the large number of pregnant mainland women giving birth in Hong Kong, and the launching of the controversial national education this school year.
To be fair, he has done his job satisfactorily. He acted to stop mainland mothers having their babies delivered in Hong Kong starting next year. He also halted the policy that required all schools to start national education as a compulsory subject, leaving schools to decide.
He also took concrete steps to reinforce what he promised during his election campaign. The government is rolling out an increased allowance for the elderly, which will soon come before the Legislative Council.
Although several legislators are calling for the government to scrap a proposed means test for the allowance, the government should insist on the test. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be required to pay the allowance if it is scrapped. However, the upgraded policy is intended to help the needy elderly, not every senior, especially those who are well off.
High hopes for our new government still exist and are justified, and I believe the government will do its best to lead our city well.