CY Leung wants Hongkongers to shout out for faster lawmaking

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying called for Hongkongers to "shout" at those hindering the government's ability to push forward policies, a day before legislators are set once more to scrutinise the Old Age Living Allowance proposal.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Leung was asked how his administration could learn from Singapore on how to boost efficiency in policy execution.

"The Hong Kong government would like to implement and formulate policies as fast as, if not faster than any of the other governments on earth," he replied. "We want to do that, but we can only do that with the support of the people, so whoever you think is standing in the way of government formulating and implementing policies quickly, shout at them."

Leung also urged the legislators, many of whom want means test rules for the HK$2,200-a-month payment changed or removed, to approve the allowance for poor elderly as soon as possible.

"One of the first things my administration did in office was to propose a new Old Age Living Allowance for those most in need of assistance," Leung said. "I sincerely hope that the 400,000 people who are eligible for the new allowance will be able to receive it very soon."

Last Friday, the Finance Committee discussed for the fifth time since the end of last month the government's application for HK$3.1 billion in funding.