No rule to follow to end filibusters in HK's Legislative Council

The filibuster has been part of the Hong Kong political scene for more than a decade, but despite the stalling tactic being used three times in the past year, the Legislative Council's rules of procedure show little sign of catching up.

Last week, when attempts to filibuster the budget bill were effectively ended by Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, he laid bare the fact that "there is no rule to follow" to end a filibuster when a bill is passing through the committee stage.

Instead, Tsang had to rely on Rule 92 of the Legco rules of procedure. It authorises the president to act "if he thinks fit" in scenarios for which no procedure has been set. What Tsang "thought fit" was to set a 14-hour deadline for the debate on the 710 amendments issued by radicals over the appropriation bill as they fought for the introduction of a universal pension.

It wasn't the first time the Legco president had used the powers of Rule 92. Twelve months ago, Tsang ended the longest-ever filibuster which lasted for more than 100 hours over three weeks. The issue then was a ban on lawmakers who resigned from standing for election within the next six months.

It was a controversial decision. "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung, of the League of Social Democrats, sought a judicial review of Tsang's decision, only to lose the case in April.

Not even Tsang's colleagues in the Beijing-loyalist camp are entirely comfortable with the Legco president having such powers.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Ip Kwok-him, a member of Legco's committee on rules of procedure, admits it's not ideal to have no rule to follow with regard to the filibuster.