Use Fanling golf club site for homes, not Hong Kong's farmland

After the July 1 protest rally, the government has desperately tried to placate sweltering public discontent with sweeteners. Hence, the unveiling of modified redevelopment plans for the northeastern New Territories.

Development Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po called the plan the ultimate and strengthened version, hoping it would generate a more positive public response.

It has, however, provoked spirited criticism from all sectors. The strongest opposition has come from local villagers and environmental groups. Villagers have threatened to occupy the Fanling golf club to protest against a proposed plan that would take their farmland and homes for development. They have demanded that the plan be scrapped.

If Chan really meant what he said, that the government would consider recovering the land from the golf club for housing development, it's possible that a miracle could happen, and the government could revive its rock-bottom approval ratings. However, Chan doesn't seem to have the political stamina to see it through.

In the past, Chan has said that, to make the best use of land, the government could and would recover any land for housing or redevelopment - be it land used for a private golf course, farmland, or even land zoned for military use by the People's Liberation Army. Singapore is already looking into this: the government has said it could redevelop some golf courses for housing.

Hong Kong would benefit immensely if it were to do the same. Unfortunately, as they stand, the revised plans for development have been dubbed by some as the "strengthened version" to fortify government-business collusion.